Measurement in Research
Michael R. Dulin
Florida Gulf Coast University Abstract Measurement is:
• “the process of observing and recording the observations that are collected as of a research effort.” (Trochim, 2006)
• “the assigning of numbers to observations in order to quantify phenomena.” (Kimberlin and Winterstein, 2008)
• “characterizing individuals in terms of the issues under study.” (Babbie, Halley, Wagner, & Zaino, 2013)
As a society, we thirst for measurement. Does this work? Why does this happen? What outcome will occur if this or that is done? There are many different definitions expressed in terms of observing, recording, assigning, characterizing as so on. Social science research strives to validate scenarios for …show more content…
Conclusion Validity
4. External Validity
The first type of validity is Internal Validity. “Internal Validity is the approximate truth about inferences regarding cause-effect or causal relationships” (Trochim, 2006). You would not use Internal Validity for an observational study but Internal Validity would be appropriate to assess a social program’s effectiveness. You want to know that your program is successful and that you have evidence that what you did in the program caused specific outcomes. Was there a causal relationship and can it be measured?
The second type of validity is Construct Validity. “Construct Validity is an assessment of how well you translated your ideas or theories into actual programs or measures” (Trochim, …show more content…
The fourth type of validity is External Validity. The first thing to remember when discussing External Validity is generalization. “How well does data and theories from one setting apply to another” (Indiana, n.d.). Many times this type of question would be asked regarding laboratory research whereby comparing lab results to other
Michael R. Dulin
Florida Gulf Coast University Abstract Measurement is:
• “the process of observing and recording the observations that are collected as of a research effort.” (Trochim, 2006)
• “the assigning of numbers to observations in order to quantify phenomena.” (Kimberlin and Winterstein, 2008)
• “characterizing individuals in terms of the issues under study.” (Babbie, Halley, Wagner, & Zaino, 2013)
As a society, we thirst for measurement. Does this work? Why does this happen? What outcome will occur if this or that is done? There are many different definitions expressed in terms of observing, recording, assigning, characterizing as so on. Social science research strives to validate scenarios for …show more content…
Conclusion Validity
4. External Validity
The first type of validity is Internal Validity. “Internal Validity is the approximate truth about inferences regarding cause-effect or causal relationships” (Trochim, 2006). You would not use Internal Validity for an observational study but Internal Validity would be appropriate to assess a social program’s effectiveness. You want to know that your program is successful and that you have evidence that what you did in the program caused specific outcomes. Was there a causal relationship and can it be measured?
The second type of validity is Construct Validity. “Construct Validity is an assessment of how well you translated your ideas or theories into actual programs or measures” (Trochim, …show more content…
The fourth type of validity is External Validity. The first thing to remember when discussing External Validity is generalization. “How well does data and theories from one setting apply to another” (Indiana, n.d.). Many times this type of question would be asked regarding laboratory research whereby comparing lab results to other