The PURPOSE of Unit 4 is to provide information that will enable you to analyze the measurement and data collection aspects of research studies. You will become familiar with measurement concepts such as reliability, validity, sensitivity, and specificity. You will be introduced to classical measurement theory. Strategies often used to measure research variables (such as observations, self-reports, interviews, and bio-physicial measures) will be discussed. Further, designing and implementing data collection plans will be explored.

The following TERMS will give you information about some of the chapter materials and should be familiar to you.

• Data collection plan
• Objectivity in data collection
• Training manual for data collection
• Levels of measurement--nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio
• Norm-referenced measurement
• Criterion-referenced measurement
• Measurement techniques--self-report, interviews, observation, biophysiologic measures
• Types of scales--Likert, visual analogue, semantic differential
• Summated response scale
• Open-ended and Closed-ended questions
• Measurement error--random or systematic
• Measurement reliability--stability, equivalence, internal consistency
• Reliability coefficient
• Measurement validity--content, criterion, construct
• Physiologic measurement concepts--sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, precision
• Data collection factors--format, timing, setting, cost, time
• Other measurement terms-- response rate, missing information, reponse bias, social desirability, reponse set
• Assessment of qualitative data--trustworthiness, credibility, dependability, confirmability, transferability
• Types of triangulation--data, time, space, person, investigator, theory, method
• Peer debriefing
• Member check