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Reliability, Validity and Uni-Dimensionality: A Primer

Author

Listed:
  • Pillai N., Vijayamohanan
  • A., Rjumohan

Abstract

Though measurement theory has traditionally got full attention and appreciation in scientific researches, its service in social sciences is young in years. Most of the popular definitions of measurement refer only to measuring objects or events in science; however, the phenomena to be measured in social sciences are mostly abstract ones, unobservable, latent, variables. Measurement in social sciences is hence to seek to construct these latent variables from aggregation of relevant observable items of questions or rating scale items in an interview questionnaire. These constructs are interpreted as manifestations of abstract traits. A number of criteria have come up to test the feasibility of this interpretation such as reliability, validity, uni-dimensionality, etc. The present paper seeks to present a primer on these three criteria.

Suggested Citation

  • Pillai N., Vijayamohanan & A., Rjumohan, 2020. "Reliability, Validity and Uni-Dimensionality: A Primer," MPRA Paper 101714, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:101714
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Suzanne Slocum-Gori & Bruno Zumbo, 2011. "Assessing the Unidimensionality of Psychological Scales: Using Multiple Criteria from Factor Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 102(3), pages 443-461, July.
    2. Louis Guttman, 1954. "Some necessary conditions for common-factor analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 19(2), pages 149-161, June.
    3. Henry Kaiser, 1974. "An index of factorial simplicity," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 39(1), pages 31-36, March.
    4. Melvin Novick & Charles Lewis, 1967. "Coefficient alpha and the reliability of composite measurements," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 32(1), pages 1-13, March.
    5. G. Kuder & M. Richardson, 1937. "The theory of the estimation of test reliability," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 2(3), pages 151-160, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Construct; Item; Reliability; validity; Uni-dimensionality; Factor Analysis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • C18 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Methodolical Issues: General
    • C80 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Data Collection and Data Estimation Methodology; Computer Programs - - - General

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