Despite the obvious importance of measurement in any scientific
endeavor, few students of the social sciences receive adequate
training in the principles and problems of assigning numerical
values to the subjects, objects, events, groups and operations they
study, and still less in the process of translating theoretical
ideas and concepts into variables. This kind of casualness with
respect to measurement is often in marked contrast to their
methodically designed research, which has grown out of subtle and
sophisticated theoretical consideration.
Scaling is intended to remedy this deficiency by providing a
broad and detailed description of the major processes for
developing measurement scales. The chapters, which include both
classics in the field and the best of modern work, require no great
mathematical sophistication, and go well beyond the conventional
study of attitudes to the more general uses of scaling. They enable
the student and researcher to examine the development of measures
of scalability and the problems and weaknesses they present, to
become familiar with the development of tests of significance for
reproducibility and scalability and the need for them, and to
examine the lively history of the subject and experience the
excitement that can be secured from sharing with a creative author
the first report of his insight.
Part One presents a series of general articles that deal in
philosophic terms with the problem of measurement, with what is
meant by measurement and scaling as well as the notions underlying
the process of measuring. Part Two deals with the scaling methods
developed by L. L. Thurstone, including paired comparison scaling,
equal-appearing interval scaling, and successive interval scaling.
The third part focuses upon scalogram analysis, presenting the
background, rationale and procedures for Guttman scaling. The
fourth part is concerned with summated rating, or Likert scaling.
Part Five is a consideration of unfolding theory and methods. Part
Six is made up of articles that focus on various special cases and
problems relevant to scaling. The book also contains an unusually
full reference bibliography and a set of convenient reference
tables associated with the development and use of measurement
scales.
General
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