Measurement challenges

Question 1

Complexity of concepts

Answer 1

Finding measures that capture constructs that lie on dimensions. Reducing people to a number is impossible

Question 2

Participant reactivity

Answer 2

Act of measurement can influence the state or process being measured. Eg assessing racism, response might be influenced by desire not to be thought of as a racist.

Has multiple kinds (eg demand characteristics, social desirability and malingering)

Question 3

Demand characteristics

Answer 3

Trying to figure out purpose of a study, changing behaviour to accomodate

Question 4

Observer/scorer bias

Answer 4

Unconsciously effecting testing procedures due to bias.

Question 5

Composite scores

Answer 5

Attributes/processes are measured in psych using composite scores: 10 questions to measure extraversion for example.

Question 6

Score sensitivity

Answer 6

Discriminating between meaningful amounts of the measure. It’s difficult to find out what sensitivity is needed to get a reliable score. Too sensitive defeats the purpose, not enough and you miss important differences

Question 7

Lack of awareness

Answer 7

Not having any information about the properties of the examinations or able to give a reason for giving the examination; this takes away from the use of the test