Reliability for the Social Sciences

Reliability for the Social Sciences PDF Author: Ross E. Traub
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 0803943253
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
"The book covers thoroughly all that is needed for a full understanding of reliability in terms of classical theory. Ross E. Traub manages to make clear the difference between reliability as a theoretical construct and methods of estimating it in practice. In a useful chapter, he proceeds to examine factors that may affect the reliability of a test, including time limits, test length, item characteristics, subjectively scored items, and heterogeneity of the population taking the test. . . . The book is a useful reference for those with some understanding of reliability theory and would probably make a reasonable textbook (including copious exercises) for those studying the subject from scratch, provided their mathematical background was adequate." --Ian Schagen in Educational Research How can social scientists assess the reliability of the measures derived from tests and questionnaires? Through a careful and illustrative review of the principles of classical reliability theory, Ross E. Traub explores some general strategies for improving measurement procedures. Beginning with a presentation of random variables and the expected values of a random variable, Reliability for the Social Sciences covers such topics as the definition of reliability as a coefficient and possible uses of a coefficient, the notion of parallel tests so as to make possible the estimation of a reliability coefficient for a set of measurements, what to do when parallel tests are not available, what factors affect the reliability coefficient, and how to estimate the standard error of measurement. Aimed at giving readers a nontechnical treatment of classical reliability theory, the book also includes end-of-chapter exercises, as well as boxes that give more in-depth coverage of major topics or that provide algebraic proofs.

Reliability for the Social Sciences

Reliability for the Social Sciences PDF Author: Ross E. Traub
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 0803943253
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 189

Get Book

Book Description
"The book covers thoroughly all that is needed for a full understanding of reliability in terms of classical theory. Ross E. Traub manages to make clear the difference between reliability as a theoretical construct and methods of estimating it in practice. In a useful chapter, he proceeds to examine factors that may affect the reliability of a test, including time limits, test length, item characteristics, subjectively scored items, and heterogeneity of the population taking the test. . . . The book is a useful reference for those with some understanding of reliability theory and would probably make a reasonable textbook (including copious exercises) for those studying the subject from scratch, provided their mathematical background was adequate." --Ian Schagen in Educational Research How can social scientists assess the reliability of the measures derived from tests and questionnaires? Through a careful and illustrative review of the principles of classical reliability theory, Ross E. Traub explores some general strategies for improving measurement procedures. Beginning with a presentation of random variables and the expected values of a random variable, Reliability for the Social Sciences covers such topics as the definition of reliability as a coefficient and possible uses of a coefficient, the notion of parallel tests so as to make possible the estimation of a reliability coefficient for a set of measurements, what to do when parallel tests are not available, what factors affect the reliability coefficient, and how to estimate the standard error of measurement. Aimed at giving readers a nontechnical treatment of classical reliability theory, the book also includes end-of-chapter exercises, as well as boxes that give more in-depth coverage of major topics or that provide algebraic proofs.

Measurement Theory and Applications for the Social Sciences

Measurement Theory and Applications for the Social Sciences PDF Author: Deborah L. Bandalos
Publisher: Guilford Publications
ISBN: 1462532136
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 686

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Book Description
Which types of validity evidence should be considered when determining whether a scale is appropriate for a given measurement situation? What about reliability evidence? Using clear explanations illustrated by examples from across the social and behavioral sciences, this engaging text prepares students to make effective decisions about the selection, administration, scoring, interpretation, and development of measurement instruments. Coverage includes the essential measurement topics of scale development, item writing and analysis, and reliability and validity, as well as more advanced topics such as exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, item response theory, diagnostic classification models, test bias and fairness, standard setting, and equating. End-of-chapter exercises (with answers) emphasize both computations and conceptual understanding to encourage readers to think critically about the material. ÿ

Social Science Research

Social Science Research PDF Author: Anol Bhattacherjee
Publisher: CreateSpace
ISBN: 9781475146127
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 156

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Book Description
This book is designed to introduce doctoral and graduate students to the process of conducting scientific research in the social sciences, business, education, public health, and related disciplines. It is a one-stop, comprehensive, and compact source for foundational concepts in behavioral research, and can serve as a stand-alone text or as a supplement to research readings in any doctoral seminar or research methods class. This book is currently used as a research text at universities on six continents and will shortly be available in nine different languages.

Reliability and Validity Assessment

Reliability and Validity Assessment PDF Author: Edward G. Carmines
Publisher: SAGE Publications, Incorporated
ISBN:
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 100

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Book Description
This guide demonstrates how social scientists assess the reliability and validity of empirical measurements. This monograph is a good starting point for those who want to familiarize themselves with the current debates over "appropriate" measurement de

The Evaluation of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities

The Evaluation of Research in Social Sciences and Humanities PDF Author: Andrea Bonaccorsi
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319685546
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 416

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Book Description
This book examines very important issues in research evaluation in the Social Sciences and Humanities. It is based on recent experiences carried out in Italy (2011-2015) in the fields of research assessment, peer review, journal classification, and construction of indicators, and presents a systematic review of theoretical issues influencing the evaluation of Social Sciences and Humanities. Several chapters analyse original data made available through research assessment exercises. Other chapters are the result of dedicated and independent research carried out in 2014-2015 aimed at addressing some of the debated and open issues, for example in the evaluation of books, the use of Library Catalog Analysis or Google Scholar, the definition of research quality criteria on internationalization, as well as opening the way to innovative indicators. The book is therefore a timely and important contribution to the international debate.

Measurement for the Social Sciences

Measurement for the Social Sciences PDF Author: John R. Rossiter
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441971580
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 169

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Book Description
This book proposes a revolutionary new theory of construct measurement – called C-OAR-SE – for the social sciences. The acronym is derived from the following key elements: construct definition; object representation; attribute classification; rater entity identification; selection of item type; enumeration and scoring. The new theory is applicable to the design of measures of constructs in: • Management • Marketing • Information Systems • Organizational Behavior • Psychology • Sociology C-OAR-SE is a rationally rather than empirically-based theory and procedure. It can be used for designing measures of the most complex and also the most basic constructs that we use in social science research. C-OAR-SE is a radical alternative to the traditional empirically-based psychometric approach, and a considerable amount of the book’s content is devoted to demonstrating why the psychometric approach does not produce valid measures. The book argues that the psychometric approach has resulted in many misleading findings in the social sciences and has led to erroneous acceptance – or rejection – of many of our main theories and hypotheses, and that the C-OAR-SE approach to measurement would correct this massive problem. The main purpose of this book is to introduce and explain C-OAR-SE construct measurement theory in a way that will be understood by all social science researchers and that can be applied to designing new, more valid measures. Featuring numerous examples, practical applications, end-of-chapter questions, and appendices, the book will serve as an essential resource for students and professional researcher alike.

Evaluating Social Science Research

Evaluating Social Science Research PDF Author: Thomas R. Black
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 9781446227763
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 196

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Book Description
This volume offers students a basic introduction to assessing the meaning and validity of research in the social sciences and related fields. The ability to "read "published research critically is essential and is different from the skills involved in "undertaking "research using statistical analysis. Thomas R Black explains in clear and straightforward terms how students can evaluate research, with particular emphasis on research involving some aspect of measurement. The coverage of fundamental concepts is comprehensive and supports topics including research design, data collection and data analysis by addressing the following major issues: Are the questions and hypotheses advanced appropriate and testable? Is the research design sufficient for the hypothesis? Are the data gathered valid, reliable and objective? Are the statistical techniques used to analyze the data appropriate and do they support the conclusions reached?

Communication Research Statistics

Communication Research Statistics PDF Author: John C. Reinard
Publisher: SAGE Publications
ISBN: 1506320481
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 604

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Book Description
"While most books on statistics seem to be written as though targeting other statistics professors, John Reinard′s Communication Research Statistics is especially impressive because it is clearly intended for the student reader, filled with unusually clear explanations and with illustrations on the use of SPSS. I enjoyed reading this lucid, student-friendly book and expect students will benefit enormously from its content and presentation. Well done!" --John C. Pollock, The College of New Jersey Written in an accessible style using straightforward and direct language, Communication Research Statistics guides students through the statistics actually used in most empirical research undertaken in communication studies. This introductory textbook is the only work in communication that includes details on statistical analysis of data with a full set of data analysis instructions based on SPSS 12 and Excel XP. Key Features: Emphasizes basic and introductory statistical thinking: The basic needs of novice researchers and students are addressed, while underscoring the foundational elements of statistical analyses in research. Students learn how statistics are used to provide evidence for research arguments and how to evaluate such evidence for themselves. Prepares students to use statistics: Students are encouraged to use statistics as they encounter and evaluate quantitative research. The book details how statistics can be understood by developing actual skills to carry out rudimentary work. Examples are drawn from mass communication, speech communication, and communication disorders. Incorporates SPSS 12 and Excel: A distinguishing feature is the inclusion of coverage of data analysis by use of SPSS 12 and by Excel. Information on the use of major computer software is designed to let students use such tools immediately. Companion Web Site! A dedicated Web site includes a glossary, data sets, chapter summaries, additional readings, links to other useful sites, selected "calculators" for computation of related statistics, additional macros for selected statistics using Excel and SPSS, and extra chapters on multiple discriminant analysis and loglinear analysis. Intended Audience: Ideal for undergraduate and graduate courses in Communication Research Statistics or Methods; also relevant for many Research Methods courses across the social sciences

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods

The SAGE Encyclopedia of Social Science Research Methods PDF Author: Michael Lewis-Beck
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 9780761923633
Category : Reference
Languages : en
Pages : 460

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Book Description
Featuring over 900 entries, this resource covers all disciplines within the social sciences with both concise definitions & in-depth essays.

Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences

Doing Quantitative Research in the Social Sciences PDF Author: Thomas R Black
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1446223639
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 768

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Book Description
This original textbook provides a comprehensive and integrated approach to using quantitative methods in the social sciences. Thomas R Black guides the student and researcher through the minefield of potential problems that may be confronted, and it is this emphasis on the practical that distinguishes his book from others which focus exclusively on either research design and measurement or statistical methods. Focusing on the design and execution of research, key topics such as planning, sampling, the design of measuring instruments, choice of statistical text and interpretation of results are examined within the context of the research process. In a lively and accessible style, the student is introduced to researc design issues alongside statistical procedures and encouraged to develop analytical and decision-making skills.