The impact of frequency rating scale formats on the measurement of latent variables in web surveys – An experimental investigation using a measure of affectivity as an example
The impact of frequency rating scale formats on the measurement of latent variables in web surveys – An experimental investigation using a measure of affectivity as an example
Author(s): Natalja Menold, Christoph J. KemperSubject(s): Social psychology and group interaction, Experimental Pschology, Methodology and research technology, ICT Information and Communications Technologies
Published by: Društvo psihologa Srbije
Keywords: rating scales; labeling; number of categories; reliability; validity; measurement equivalence; PANAS;
Summary/Abstract: The effects of verbal and/or numerical labeling and number of categories on the measurement of latent variables in web surveys are addressed. Data were collected online in a quota sample of the German adult population (N = 741). A randomized 2x2x2 experimental design was applied, with variation of the number of categories, as well as of verbal and numerical labeling, using an abbreviated version of the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Experimental manipulation of the rating scale formats resulted in an effect on measurement model testing and reliability, as well as on factorial and convergent validity. In addition, measurement invariance between several rating scale formats was limited. With the five category end verbalized and fully labeled seven category formats, acceptable results for all measurement quality metrics could be obtained.
Journal: Psihologija
- Issue Year: 48/2015
- Issue No: 4
- Page Range: 431-449
- Page Count: 19
- Language: English
