研究方法课件3.pptVIP

Chapter 3 Measurement Foundations: Validity and Validation Construct Definitions Construct validity? There is no direct way to measure constructs, because they are conceptual phenomena. As a consequence, there is no direct way to assess construct validity; it must be inferred from a variety of criteria. These inferences are made by examining scores on measures and comparing them with theoretical propositions about how the scores should perform. The most useful conceptual definitions have two elements. Construct Domain : it contains a dictionary-like statement that describes the construct domain. It speaks what is included in the construct. Nomological Networks : Relationships between a construct under measurement consideration and other constructs. Construct Definition Illustration Personal computer satisfaction is an emotional response resulting from an evaluation of the speed, durability, and initial price, but not the appearance of a personal computer. People with more education will have higher expectations and hence lower computer satisfaction than those with less education. (nomological network) My satisfaction with: Initial price of the computer What I paid for the computer How quickly the computer performs calculations How fast the computer runs programs Helpfulness of the salesperson How I was treated when I bought the computer One-dimensional constructs Ex. Computer satisfaction Multidimensional constructs Ex. Satisfaction with computer speed Satisfaction with computer durability Satisfaction with computer price Construct Validity Challenges Two major challenges confront construct validity. Random errors : completely unsystematic variation in scores Systematic errors : In measurement, when scores from a measure consistently vary from construct validity because of contamination and/or deficiency. Random errors Taking an average of several items designed to measure the same thing is one way to address random errors. Random errors tend to “