Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE MEASUREMENT

EXAMPLE BOX 6

Examples of Using the Likert Scale to Create Indexes

Sniderman and Hagen (1985) created indexes to measure beliefs about equal opportu-

nity for women and self-esteem. For both indexes, scores were added to create an un-

weighted index.

INDEX OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR WOMEN

Questions

1. Women have less opportunity than men to get the education they need to be hired in
   top jobs.
   Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Disagree a Don’t
   Agree Agree Disagree Great Deal Know


2. Many qualified women cannot get good jobs; men with the same skills have less trouble.
   Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Disagree a Don’t
   Agree Agree Disagree Great Deal Know


3. Our society discriminates against women.
   Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Disagree a Don’t
   Agree Agree Disagree Great Deal Know
   Scoring: For all items, Strongly Agree = 1, Somewhat Agree = 2, Somewhat Disagree = 4,
   Disagree a Great Deal = 5, Don’t Know = 3.
   Highest Possible Index Score = 15, respondent feels opportunities for women are equal
   Lowest Possible Index Score = 3, respondent feels opportunities are not equal

SELF-ESTEEM INDEX

Questions

1. On the whole, I am satisfied with myself. Agree Disagree Don’t Know


2. At times, I think I am no good at all. Agree Disagree Don’t Know


3. I sometimes feel that (other) men do not
   take my opinion seriously. Agree Disagree Don’t Know
   Scoring: Items 1 and 3: 1 = Disagree, 2 = Don’t Know, 3 = Agree, Item 2: 1 = Disagree,
   2 = Don’t Know, 1 = Agree.
   Highest Possible Index Score = 9, high self-esteem
   Lowest Possible Index Score = 3, low self-esteem

set, also called response styleand response bias,is

the tendency of some people to answer a large

number of items in the same way (usually agreeing)

out of laziness or a psychological predisposition.

For example, if items are worded so that saying

“strongly agree” always indicates self-esteem, we

would not know whether a person who always

strongly agreed had high self-esteem or simply had

a tendency to agree with questions. The person

might be answering “strongly agree” out of habit or

a tendency to agree. We word statements in alter-

native directions so that anyone who agrees all the