Exam 3: Conceptualization and Measurement

The first step of concept measurement is operationalization.

Conceptualization is the practice of identifying different dimensions of a concept.

When one measurement variable has a missing value for an observation, a value of 0 is assigned to the index variable for that observation.

The term measurement variable refers to the (observed) variables that make up the index.

Comparison with external sources is sometimes called criterion (or external) validity.

An index variable is a variable that combines the values of other variables into a single indicator or score.

Likert-type scales are a common type of continuous scale.

Measurement validity simply means that something measures or reflects what it is intended to.

Variables are abstract ideas that are observed indirectly, through concepts.

Cronbach α values of .70 or higher are acceptable.

Analysts are expected to use some strategy to assess measurement validity.

Ill-defined categories are problematic for constructing scales.

Cronbach α (also called α or measure α) is a statistical measure of internal validity.

Variables are empirical, whereas concepts are abstract.

Ordinal-level variables are usually considered to be continuous variables.

In conceptualization, no correct number of dimensions or variables exists, only bad or lacking ones.

Analysts must justify their choices about the conceptualization and operationalization of study concepts.

We should develop scales that are incomplete, ambiguous, or overlapping in some way.

Face validity means that index variables encompass a broad range of aspects.

The theorem of the interchangeability of indicators states that most concepts have three to five dimensions.