Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
a more powerful measurement than the
ordinal scale. The mean and standard devia-
tion are the appropriate measures of central
tendency and dispersion, respectively, using
the interval scale of measurement.
(d) Ratio Scale
Demerit of an interval scale of having no
absolute zero point of measurement is being
overcome in a ratio scale. A ratio scale is also
a type of an interval scale with an equal
interval between the consecutive scales
along with the added feature of having the
true zero point on the scale. Thus, the pres-
ence of zero point on the scale benefits the
scale in comparing two events, with their
respective positions. The ratio scales have
wider acceptability and use. Generally,
almost all statistical tools are usable with
the variables measured in a ratio scale.
collection, particularly for socioeconomic
researches, may assist or distort information
needed for a research project. Sometimes, a
respondent may feel that anonymity is not
assured, and then he/she may be very reluc-
tant to provide authentic information. The
presence of somebody may hinder or ease
out an information extraction process.
(c) The Measurer
The behavior and attitude of a measurer or
a surveyor, and interviewer, and the instru-
ment used is the most important thing in
getting reliable and valid information. Partic-
ularly in social studies, the style of inter-
actions of interviewers with the respondents
may encourage or discourage the information
gathering process. Faulty recording or tabu-
lation of information may also hamper
the authenticity and creditability of
the
information.
(d) The Instrument
Faulty or an unstandardized instrument may
give rise to inaccurate information. Simi-
larly, in social and market studies, complex
languages beyond the comprehension of a
respondent must be avoided. A researcher
must know how to take a measurement
correctly under the given resource and time
situations. Whatever may be the planning
and hypothesis, if information is collected
not up to the standard, it has some adverse
effects on the output of a research program.
5.2.1 Causes for Error in Measurement
For any research project to have meaningful
research findings, the measurements taken during
the process should be precise and accurate. Any
failure or shortfall on this aspect may seriously
affect the research findings. As such, every
researcher should have an attempt to minimize
the error of measurement. Mainly there are four
sources of errors in measurement: (a) the respon-
dent, (b) the situation, (c) the measurer, and (d)
the instrument.
(a) The Respondent
Reluctance on the part a respondent may be
due to the fact that either he/she has tremen-
dous negative feelings or may have very little
knowledge about the subject concerned, but
very much reluctant to express his/her igno-
rance. In addition to this, fatigue, apathy,
anxiety, etc., may cause in responding
accurately.
(b) The Situation
The situation during the time of collection of
information plays a great role in manifesting
an effective research output. A situation
(strained/easy) during the time of data
5.2.2 Criteria for Good Measurement
Scale
Validity, reliability, and practicality are the three
major criteria one should consider while
evaluating any measurement tool. Validity refers
to the degree to which the instrument measures
what is supposed to be measured. Validity
specifies the utility of a measurement scale; it
actually measures the true differences among
the values measured. Depending upon the nature
of a research problem and the judgment of a
researcher, validity can take a great
role.
