Data measurement of scale

1. Measurement of Scale
Dr Raju Indukoori

2. Measurement
It is the process of quantification or assigning
numbers to empirical events and objects /
properties / activities in compliance with set
of rules.
1) Selecting observable empirical events.
2) Developing a set of mapping rules.
3) Applying the mapping rules.
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3. What is measured?
• Variables’ related to the investigative questions or
research problem are measured.
• They are measured as objects or as the properties of the
objects including the concepts of ordinary experience.
• Researcher measures indicators of the objects /
properties but not the objects or properties.
• Example: Gender of the student
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4. Measurement Objectives
1) Represent both qualitative and quantitative
concepts
2) To provided highest quality and lowest error
data for testing Hypothesis and estimation /
prediction / description
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5. Importance of measurement
• Research conclusions are only as good as the data on which
they are based
• Observations must be quantifiable in order to subject them
to statistical analysis
• Dependent variable(s) must be measured in any
quantitative study.
• The more precise, sensitive the method of measurement,
the better.
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6. Measurement Process
1) Concept / Constructs.
2) Operational Definitions
3) Rules of measurement.
4) Applying the rules.
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7. 1) Concept / Constructs.
• It is a generalized idea about class of
objects, attributes, occurrences and
processes.
• Identify concepts relevant to the
problem.
• Some concepts are clear and others are
abstract.
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8. Contd….
Objects or Properties of the objects are
classified as follows
1) Tangible (Clear): People, cars, products,
countries…..
2) Intangible (Abstract): Attitude, satisfaction,
intelligence, behavior….
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9. 2) Operational Definitions
Selecting observable empirical events
• Specify what must be done to measure the
concept.
Example: Job satisfaction
• We cannot ask “Are you satisfied with your job”
• Ask “ What are your expectations” and “What did u get”
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10. 3) Rules of measurement.
Developing a set of mapping rules based
on following characters
1) Classification: with numbers, no order
2) Order : numbers are ordered, >,<,=
3) Distance: Difference between numbers are ordered
4) Origin: Zero point.
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11. 4) Applying the Rules
• Check the suitability of the rule and
respondent or problem
• Right reflection of tangible and intangible
characters.
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12. Scaling Process
1) Devising a mapping rule for observations
with following characters
1) Classification
2) Order
3) Distance
4) Origin
2) Translating the observations
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13. Index Measures
Multi item instruments used to measure a single
concept with several attributes are called index
measures or composite measures.
Example
1) Price indices
2) Employee satisfaction measured in terms of
job, role, benefits, territory, personal life. Etc.
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14. Criteria for Good Measurement
1) Reliability
2) Validity
3) Sensitivity
4) Practicality
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