PYC2606: Basic measurements & Questionnaires design
Dictionary
This is a simple guide to assist you with the most used terms within this module.
Alternate-forms reliability: a measure of equivalence. Measures consistency of
results of a questionnaire over different forms, obtain an estimate of the alternate-
forms reliability of each form of the questionnaire. The closer the correlation
coefficient is to 1, the greater the extent to which the forms are equivalent and thus
measure the same attribute
Anonymity: NOT the same as confidentiality. State of being anonymous; having no
known name or identity or known source
Attitude scales: group of items designed to reflect different attitudes toward the
topic or question; a technique for placing people on a continuum in relation to
each other. Likert- semantic differential scales
Bi-polar: opposites
Correlation coefficient: a measure of the interdependence of two variables that
ranges in value from -1 to +1
Coefficient of correlation: perfect negative -1, perfect positive +1; absence of
correlation is 0
Concurrent validity: a type of criterion-related validity - obtaining measures on the
criterion at approximately the same time as the scores on the questionnaire. The
extent to which scores accurately estimates an individual’s present position on the
relevant criterion is then determined
Construct: an unobservable quality that forms part of a theory designed to explain
observable behaviour eg anxiety, intelligence, stress, independence etc.
Construct validity: focuses on WHAT is being measured. It is concerned with the
nature of reality & the nature of properties being measured; estimation of the extent
to which subjects posses the characteristics presumed to be reflected by a
particular scale or test.
Content validity: to what degree the content of items in the measuring scale
corresponds with the content of the domain being measured.
Convergent validity: a type of construct validity. Two questionnaires measure a
construct that is theoretically related and there’s a significant correlation between
the scores on these questionnaires
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Dictionary
This is a simple guide to assist you with the most used terms within this module.
Alternate-forms reliability: a measure of equivalence. Measures consistency of
results of a questionnaire over different forms, obtain an estimate of the alternate-
forms reliability of each form of the questionnaire. The closer the correlation
coefficient is to 1, the greater the extent to which the forms are equivalent and thus
measure the same attribute
Anonymity: NOT the same as confidentiality. State of being anonymous; having no
known name or identity or known source
Attitude scales: group of items designed to reflect different attitudes toward the
topic or question; a technique for placing people on a continuum in relation to
each other. Likert- semantic differential scales
Bi-polar: opposites
Correlation coefficient: a measure of the interdependence of two variables that
ranges in value from -1 to +1
Coefficient of correlation: perfect negative -1, perfect positive +1; absence of
correlation is 0
Concurrent validity: a type of criterion-related validity - obtaining measures on the
criterion at approximately the same time as the scores on the questionnaire. The
extent to which scores accurately estimates an individual’s present position on the
relevant criterion is then determined
Construct: an unobservable quality that forms part of a theory designed to explain
observable behaviour eg anxiety, intelligence, stress, independence etc.
Construct validity: focuses on WHAT is being measured. It is concerned with the
nature of reality & the nature of properties being measured; estimation of the extent
to which subjects posses the characteristics presumed to be reflected by a
particular scale or test.
Content validity: to what degree the content of items in the measuring scale
corresponds with the content of the domain being measured.
Convergent validity: a type of construct validity. Two questionnaires measure a
construct that is theoretically related and there’s a significant correlation between
the scores on these questionnaires
www.sociallearning.co.za
