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We started with a simple item:
My peers are conscientious and caring:- Always
- Sometimes
- Never
And following a few simple rules of item design, our initial item has expanded
into at least two longer but clearer items:
My co-workers in the operating room are hardworking:
- Always
- Most of the time
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
My co-workers in the operating room are caring:- Always
- Most of the time
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
The differences between our initial item and this pair of revised items may appear
small, but the difference in quality is substantial. Writing the initial item was easy.
Editing and refining the item was much more difficult. And the editing work might
not be done yet.
The number rules and bits of advice for creating survey items are more numerous
than we can explore here. For example, some research suggests that items should be
written as questions not statements (e.g., “Are your co-workers in the operating
room hardworking?”). Related research suggests that response options be written as
complete thoughts, rather than as single words (e.g., “My co-workers always work
hard” as opposed to “Always”). There is no definitive rule for such decisions, but it
is important to consider every alternative (e.g., [ 2 , 8 ]).
Question 6: What Do the Experts Think About the Questions
You’ve Written?
In your literature review, you likely identified researchers who are experts in the
concepts covered by your questions. Moreover, if you are focused on a particular
procedure in surgery, you may know experts in that procedure. Attempt to build a
panel of experts to review the items you’ve written.
C. Hitt