Contribution to Book
Subjective nuances of the objective survey research and scale development
Basic elements of survey research in education: Addressing the problems your advisor never told you about
(2021)
Abstract
Educational survey research often includes development of an instrument, if a psychometrically –tested instrument has not previously been created. Though there are courses, workshops, and articles available on instrument development, authentic learning happens best with a didactic approach that has the learner apply new knowledge with a simultaneous hands-on experience. The purpose of this chapter will be to introduce the reader to the typical steps required in scale and index development from the reliability and validity perspectives. Measurement decision-making is often very personal and subjective in nature. The balance between the subjective perspectives and interests of the researcher with the structured and objective nature of measurements requirements in scale development will be at the focus of the chapter. The chapter will include the typical steps required in scale development, such as: defining the construct and sub-constructs to be measured, item development, face validity, content validity index, piloting and refinement, as well as the exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. These steps will be presented as an exercise in guided-learning providing the reader with specific examples that can then be generalized for their own instrument development needs. In addition, the authors will use worked examples accompanied by decision flow charts and checklists. Resources and references will also be provided at the end of the chapter for further learning.
Disciplines
Publication Date
2021
Editor
U. Luhanga & A.G. Harbaugh
Publisher
Information Age Publisher
Citation Information
Joanna Alcruz, Sarah Eckardt and Patricia A Eckardt. "Subjective nuances of the objective survey research and scale development" Charlotte, NCBasic elements of survey research in education: Addressing the problems your advisor never told you about (2021) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/joanna-alcruz/19/