Group TasksIndexes, Scales and TypologiesContent validityComposite MethodsScalesSample Likert-Scale QuestionsSlide 7Sample Scale of Job-Related DepressionSample Scale of Political InvolvementDifferent Types of ScalesIndexesItems Measuring School Violence and Delinquency*Developing a Survey InstrumentGuidelines for Writing Survey QuestionsSample Multiple-Choice QuestionsTypologiesGroup TasksWhat do Scales and Indexes have in common? Name some things that would go into a parole success prediction index.Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using 7-point Likert scales.Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a "Don't know" category.Indexes, Scales and TypologiesContent validityAchieved by including all the dimensions of a conceptMost non-demographic variables require more than one measureComposite MethodsUsed pre-dominantly in quantitative studiesIndexes and Scales allow a summary of several measure of the same conceptScalesReflect degree of the variableGive more information about the conceptEspecially good for measuring attitudesSample Likert-Scale QuestionsRate each item on the scale shown to Rate each item on the scale shown to indicate your level of agreement:indicate your level of agreement:I believe in the Bill of Rights.strongly agree agree uncertain disagree strongly disagreeI think that everyone should vote.strongly agree agree uncertain disagree strongly disagreeMost politicians cannot be trusted.strongly agree agree uncertain disagree strongly disagreeScalesMore difficult to code than indexesCoding considerationsdesirable rangeweightingSample Scale of Job-Related DepressionSample Scale of Job-Related DepressionI feel down-hearted and blueoften sometimes rarely neverI get tired for no reasonoften sometimes rarely neverI find myself restless and can’t keep stilloften sometimes rarely neverI am more irritable than usualoften sometimes rarely neverSample Scale of Political InvolvementSample Scale of Political InvolvementI think that everyone should vote.strongly agree agree uncertain disagree strongly disagreeMost politicians cannot be trusted.strongly agree agree uncertain disagree strongly disagreeJoining a political party should be mandatory.strongly agree agree uncertain disagree strongly disagreeAll votes should be counted.strongly agree agree uncertain disagree strongly disagreeDifferent Types of ScalesDifferent Types of ScalesBogardus Social Distance ScaleThurstone ScalesLikert ScalesSemantic DifferentialGuttman ScalingIndexesUsually use a number of questions about the same thingAnswers can be “scored” and added up to produce a total “score” for the conceptQuestion wordingQuestion wording1. Have you been suspended? 2. Have you hit another student?3. Have you hit a teacher?4. Have you threatened another student?5. Have you threatened a teacher?6. Have you stolen something from someone?7. Have you carried a weapon?8. Have you used drugs or alcohol?9. Have you sold drugs?10. Have you been caught fighting with another student?11. Have you been involved in gang fights?12. Have you been caught fighting with a teacher?13. Have you been suspended for fighting?Items Measuring School Violence and Delinquency*Items Measuring School Violence and Delinquency** Robber, M.L. (2000). Scary Schools : Specifying General Strain Theory.Developing a Survey InstrumentDeveloping a Survey InstrumentUse clear language and explicit instructionsTypes and number of questions will depend on the purpose and the type of survey plannedTypes of itemsOpen-ended itemsMultiple-choice itemsYes / No itemsbe mindful of lack of information herebe mindful of lack of information hereGuidelines for Writing Survey QuestionsGuidelines for Writing Survey QuestionsItems should be clearAvoid Double-Barreled QuestionsRespondents Should be CompetentQuestions Should be RelevantShort Items are BestAvoid Negative ItemsAvoid Biased Items and TermsSample Multiple-Choice QuestionsSample Multiple-Choice QuestionsHow frequently do you take a sick day from work?a) neverb) once or twice a yearc) 3 to 5 times a yeard) 6 to 12 times a yeare) at least once a monthIdentify the issue that you believe is most critical to this country’s future.a) the economyb) educationc) integrity in governmentd) national defensee) some other issueTypologiesExamine two variables at onceExample:Political orientations of newspapers in terms of domestic and foreign policy coverageDifficult to analyze and are rarely