Scale (social sciences)

In the social sciences, scaling is the process of measuring or ordering entities with respect to quantitative attributes or traits. For example, a scaling technique might involve estimating individuals' levels of extraversion, or the perceived quality of products. Certain methods of scaling permit estimation of magnitudes on a continuum, while other methods provide only for relative ordering of the entities. The level of measurement is the type of data that is measured. The word scale, including in academic literature, is sometimes used to refer to another composite measure, that of an index. Those concepts are however different. What level (level of measurement) of data is involved (nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio)? What will the results be used for? What should be used - a scale, index, or typology? What types of statistical analysis would be useful? Choose to use a comparative scale or a noncomparative scale. How many scale divisions or categories should be used (1 to 10; 1 to 7; −3 to +3)? Should there be an odd or even number of divisions? (Odd gives neutral center value; even forces respondents to take a non-neutral position.) What should the nature and descriptiveness of the scale labels be? What should the physical form or layout of the scale be? (graphic, simple linear, vertical, horizontal) Should a response be forced or be left optional? It is possible that something similar to one's scale will already exist, so including those scale(s) and possible dependent variables in one's survey may increase validity of one's scale. Begin by generating at least ten items to represent each of the scales. Administer the survey; the more representative and larger the sample, the more confidence one will have in the scales. Review the means and standard deviations for the items, dropping any items with skewed means or very low variance. Run a principal components analysis with oblique rotation on one's items and the other items for scales - it will be important to differentiate from one's own.

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Likert scale

A Likert scale (ˈlɪkərt ,) is a psychometric scale named after its inventor, American social psychologist Rensis Likert, which is commonly used in research questionnaires. It is the most widely used approach to scaling responses in survey research, such that the term (or more fully the Likert-type scale) is often used interchangeably with rating scale, although there are other types of rating scales. Likert distinguished between a scale proper, which emerges from collective responses to a set of items (usually eight or more), and the format in which responses are scored along a range.

Questionnaire

A questionnaire is a research instrument that consists of a set of questions (or other types of prompts) for the purpose of gathering information from respondents through survey or statistical study. A research questionnaire is typically a mix of close-ended questions and open-ended questions. Open-ended, long-term questions offer the respondent the ability to elaborate on their thoughts. The Research questionnaire was developed by the Statistical Society of London in 1838.

Questionnaire construction

Questionnaire construction refers to the design of a questionnaire to gather statistically useful information about a given topic. When properly constructed and responsibly administered, questionnaires can provide valuable data about any given subject. Questionnaire Questionnaires are frequently used in quantitative marketing research and social research. They are a valuable method of collecting a wide range of information from a large number of individuals, often referred to as respondents.

Geometry and Symmetry in Non-Convex Optimization

Delves into benign non-convexity, principal component analysis, low-rank matrix completion, and community detection in optimization.

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Clinical feasibility and validation of the accelerated T2 mapping sequence GRAPPATINI in brain imaging

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CELL PRESS2023

Multiscale pattern analysis of building replacements in Zurich from 2000 to 2019

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Building replacement (BR) – i.e., the demolition of existing structures and subsequent construction of new buildings on the same site – is often understood as a necessary urban planning strategy despite significant environmental implications regarding soli ...

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Virtual reality intervention alleviates dyspnoea in patients recovering from COVID-19 pneumonia

Olaf Blanke, Bruno Herbelin, Florian Lance, Oliver Alan Kannape, Sylvain Cardin, Sophie Jacqueline Andrée Betka, Jemina Fasola, Aline Schmit

Background Immersive virtual reality (iVR)-based digital therapeutics are gaining clinical attention in the field of pain management. Based on known analogies between pain and dyspnoea, we investigated the effects of visual respiratory feedback on persiste ...

Sheffield2023