Exam 5: Conceptualization, Operationalization, and Measurement

Validity refers to the link between the operational and conceptual definitions.

Techniques used to create reliable measures include:

A measurement of personality that produces observable,correct results,but that are not consistent would be considered

If unsure as a researcher how specific a measurement needs to be,it is best to be more general to simplify data collection.

Numbers assigned to ranks on an ordinal scale can legitimately be added,multiplied,subtracted,and divided.

Professor Tyler wrote a proposal to study the impact of authoritarianism on child rearing practices.She began her research by reviewing the meaning of authoritarianism.Based on this review,she formulated her own definition of authoritarianism.This process illustrates:

A split-half reliability test taps the idea of the general stability of the instrument over time.

What is the lowest level of measurement in which there is an exact difference between attribute values?

Definitions are more problematic for descriptive research than for explanatory research.

Predictive validity is often used as another term for criterion-related validity.

When we fall into the trap of believing that terms have real meanings we are guilty of:

Dr.Jones is developing a research study in which he plans to use the length of a participant's ring finger to determine mathematical prowess.At the most basic level,his indicator fails which test for validity?

Even if a pre-existing measure of a construct of interest exists,it is a better idea to create your own so you understand it better.

Professor Spence decided to define socioeconomic status as a combination of income and education.Spence then determined the questions to be asked in a survey and the categories of responses.Spence was assigning socioeconomic status:

The split-half technique for assessing reliability is closely linked to concept of the interchangeability of indicators

One only need a nominal definition of a concept before beginning the process of data collection

Because low marital satisfaction should lead to divorce,Professor Rogers checked his measure of marital satisfaction by examining whether couples with low marital satisfaction scores later obtained divorces and those with high levels of marital satisfaction remained married.This illustrates the use of:

Changing definitions almost inevitably results in different descriptive conclusions.

Reliability involves:

A measure of religiosity that is extremely consistent,but is actually targeting the respondent's political affiliation could be considered: