{"id":50,"date":"2024-08-21T08:25:04","date_gmt":"2024-08-21T08:25:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/researchmethods\/?post_type=content&p=50"},"modified":"2024-08-21T14:08:34","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T14:08:34","slug":"chapter-2-measuring-people-variables-samples-and-the-qualitative-critique","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/researchmethods\/student-resources\/chapter-2-measuring-people-variables-samples-and-the-qualitative-critique\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 2 – Measuring people \u2013 variables, samples and the qualitative critique"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\tHome<\/a>\n<\/span>\u203a<\/span>\n\tStudent Resources<\/a>\n<\/span>\u203a<\/span>\n\tChapter 2 \u2013 Measuring people \u2013 variables, samples and the qualitative critique\n<\/span><\/div>\n\n

Chapter 2 – Measuring people \u2013 variables, samples and the qualitative critique<\/h1>\n\n\n

This chapter is an introduction to the language and concepts of measurement in social science.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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

Exercise 2.1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Creating variables to measure psychological constructs<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this exercise try to give at least one operationally defined measure to assess the psychological construct in the list below. Examples are provided if you click \u2018Show Answer\u2019 but these are not the \u2018correct\u2019 answers, just some possibilities to demonstrate strict measurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anxiety<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Show answer<\/summary>\n
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  1. Total score on an anxiety scale which includes such items as: \u2018I often lie awake thinking about tomorrow\u2019s issues.\u2019 The response scale might be \u2018Strongly agree, Agree, Disagree, Strongly disagree\u2019.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Person\u2019s self-rating on a scale of 1 to 10 of their current level of anxiety (e.g., as they approach or think about a feared object).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

    Conformity<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Show answer<\/summary>\n

    Difference between number of beans participant estimates are in a jar and the number they were told was agreed by a previous group. (The lower the difference the more they \u2018conform\u2019.)<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

    Assertiveness<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Show answer<\/summary>\n
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    1. Participant completes story which requires assertiveness from main character to bring about a successful conclusion. Endings are coded according to scheme on which raters are intensively trained.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Number of people going back to cashier in a store after they have been deliberately short changed.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

      Stress<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Show answer<\/summary>\n
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      1. Number of single days taken off sick in one year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Total score on \u2018hassles\u2019 scale.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Increase in errors made as task demands are increased.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

        Self-esteem                 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Show answer<\/summary>\n

        Difference in number of points scored on self-assessment \u2018as I am\u2019 and \u2018how I would like to be\u2019.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n

        Exercise 2.2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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        Have a go at this short quiz to test your understanding and identify any gaps in your knowledge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        March the appropriate term with the sampling method described:<\/p>\n\n\n