Question

Each of the following is an abstract construct (meaning it exists but it cannot be directly be directly measured). Find an existing composite measure for each and answer the following:

1) How is the construct defined?

2) Are the indicators treated as a scale or index? Why?;

3) is the construct better viewed by a scale or index?

a) Consumer confidence or optimism

b) Work motivation

c) Quality of hospital inpatient care

d) Traffic congestion

e) Quality of life in an area Volunteer motivation

g) Water quality

h) Environmental hazard level of an area or site

Answer 1

1) A construct is a variable which measures specific characteristics or trait in a study. E.g. Intelligence or personality of a person.

2) The indicators are treated as both scale and index.

The index measurement employs the usage of many inter-related questions to obtain a particular response. E.g. Job-related depression of a person can be assessed by asking a series of related questions and then comparing the number of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to those questions and arriving at a conclusion.

The scales indicator explains the intensity of a response to the condition. E.g. Agree, disagree, strongly disagree

3) a) Consumer confidence or optimism - scale

b) Work motivation - scale

c) Quality of hospital inpatient care - index