Measurement

Explanations > Social Research > Measurement

Measurement in social research is not an easy affair. Here's a set of pages that you may find useful in deciding what and how to measure.

Two main methods of getting input from people are survey and interview. A critical trick in each is in asking the right questions.

• Basics
  • Variables in research: Understanding what changes.
  • Types of data: Nominal, ordinal and more.
  • Measurement error: Different types of error.
  • Measuring attitude: Cognitive, affective and behavioral components.
• Questioning
  • Question types: Different ways to ask.
  • Asking questions: Basics of questioning.
• Measurement scales
  • Bogardus Social Distance Scale: For perceive differences.
  • Likert scale: Multiple choice scale.
  • Guttman scale: Increasing detail.
  • Rank Ordering scale: Putting things in order.
  • Thurstone scale: Simple agreement or not.
  • Semantic differential: Bipolar pairs in question.
  • Visual-Analog Rating scale: Smooth scale.