Ninth Edition CoverGraziano & Raulin
Research Methods (9th edition)

Chapter 4 Essay Questions
Data and the Nature of Measurement

  1. How do subjective and objective measures differ?

  2. Stevens (1946) introduced the concept of scales of measurement. Define each of the four scales of measurement that he described. Give at least two examples of variables that could be measured on each scale.

  3. Define the concept of measurement error, and discuss some of the potential sources of measurement error.

  4. Define what is meant by an operational definition for a variable. How might a well-constructed operational definition reduce the likelihood of measurement error?

  5. Define both reliability and validity. How are these two concepts related to one another?

  6. Define each of the various types of reliability.

  7. How might scale attenuation effects distort the measurement of a variable?

  8. What are the advantages of using objective measures?

  9. What is the major task in measurement?

  10. What are the important characteristics of the abstract number system?

  11. What type of data is generated by each level of measurement?

  12. Explain the concept of convergent validity. What is its importance? 

  13. How would you explain to someone who does not know measurement that an IQ of 140 does not indicate twice as much intelligence as an IQ of 70?

  14. Aside from its obvious dishonesty, what are the main ethical issues in the falsification of research data?