Scale Development: Theory and Applications (Applied Social Research Methods)

"Scale Development: Theory and Applications, by Robert F. DeVellis and new co-author Carolyn T. Thorpe, demystifies measurement by emphasizing a logical rather than strictly mathematical understanding of concepts. The Fifth Edition includes a new chapter that lays out the key concepts that distinguish indices from scales, contrasts various types of indices, suggests approaches for developing them, reviews validity and reliability issues, and discusses in broad terms some analytic approaches. All chapters have been updated, and the book strikes a balance between including relevant topics and highlighting recent developments in measurement while retaining an accessible, user-friendly approach to the material covered"-- Provided by publisher «Scale Development: Theory and Applications, by Robert F. DeVellis and new co-author Carolyn T. Thorpe, demystifies measurement by emphasizing a logical rather than strictly mathematical understanding of concepts. The Fifth Edition includes a new chapter that lays out the key concepts that distinguish indices from scales, contrasts various types of indices, suggests approaches for developing them, reviews validity and reliability issues, and discusses in broad terms some analytic approaches. All chapters have been updated, and the book strikes a balance between including relevant topics and highlighting recent developments in measurement while retaining an accessible, user-friendly approach to the material covered.»-- Résumé de l'éditeur COVER TITLE PAGE COPYRIGHT PAGE BRIEF CONTENTS DETAILED CONTENTS PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR CHAPTER 1 - OVERVIEW CHAPTER 2 - UNDERSTANDING THE LATENT VARIABLE CHAPTER 3 - SCALE RELIABILITY CHAPTER 4 - SCALE VALIDITY CHAPTER 5 - GUIDELINES IN SCALE DEVELOPMENT CHAPTER 6 - FACTOR ANALYSIS CHAPTER 7 - THE INDEX CHAPTER 8 - AN OVERVIEW OF ITEM RESPONSE THEORY CHAPTER 9 - MEASUREMENT IN THE BROADER RESEARCH CONTEXT REFERENCES INDEX