{"id":99,"date":"2024-08-21T11:58:44","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T11:58:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/researchmethods\/?post_type=content&p=99"},"modified":"2024-08-22T08:33:43","modified_gmt":"2024-08-22T08:33:43","slug":"chapter-8-psychological-tests-and-measurement-scales","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/researchmethods\/student-resources\/chapter-8-psychological-tests-and-measurement-scales\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 8 – Psychological tests and measurement scales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\tHome\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n

Chapter 8 – Psychological tests and measurement scales<\/h1>\n\n\n

This chapter looks at a variety of procedures for gathering data using some form of questionnaire, psychological scale or psychometric test.The content for this chapter has not been posted yet and is coming soon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Exercises<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Exercise 8.1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Problematic items in psychological scales<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some proposed items for different kinds of psychological scales are listed below. In each case select the kind of error (from the list in the box below) that is being made with the item (see Chapter 8 of the book for explanations).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leading question<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ambiguous<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Technical terms<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(too) Complex<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(too) Emotive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

(too) Personal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double-barrelled<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double negative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inappropriate scale<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Violent video games can have a negative effect on children\u2019s socio-psychological development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Show answer<\/summary>\n

Technical terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation: Would respondents understand socio-psychological?<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

2. Boxers earn a lot of money (in an attitude to boxing scale).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Show answer<\/summary>\n

Ambiguous<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation: That boxers earn a lot of money is a fact but it gives no indication of a person\u2019s views on boxing. Both sides will agree so the item has no discriminatory power.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

3. Boxing is barbaric and should be banned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Show answer<\/summary>\n

Double barrelled<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation: May agree it is barbaric but argue against a ban.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

4. Hunters should not terrify poor defenceless little animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Show answer<\/summary>\n

Emotive<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Explanation: Could be an item in some scales but is a bit OTT on emotional tugging here.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

5. I thought the advertisement was:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Good<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Average<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Poor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Very Poor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
    Show answer<\/summary>\n

    Inappropriate scale<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Explanation: There are two negative \u2018poor\u2019 choices but only one positive choice. Also, what is meant by \u2018average\u2019?<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

    6. Have you ever suffered from a mental disorder?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Show answer<\/summary>\n

    Too personal<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Explanation: Should not need to ask this and may not get an honest reply. Might be relevant in specialised research but would probably not be approached so bluntly.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

    7. People have a natural tendency to learn though encountering problems, seeking information and testing hypotheses about the world and therefore education should be about providing resources for discovery rather than about top-down delivery and testing of knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Show answer<\/summary>\n

    Too complex<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Explanation: Though the statement makes sense it may well need reading a few times and may tax some respondents with its vocabulary and length.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

    8. Don\u2019t you think the government will miss its child poverty targets?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Show answer<\/summary>\n

    Leading question<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Explanation: Probably wouldn\u2019t be as blatantly leading as this but even \u2018Do you think\u2026\u2019 invites agreement.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

    9. There are no grounds upon which a child should not be given a right to education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Show answer<\/summary>\n

    Double negative<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Explanation: Should be understood by most but double negatives do make respondents have to think twice.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

    Exercise 8.2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Select True or False for each item to test your understanding of psychological tests and measurement scales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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