Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1997
Publication Title
Family Science Review
Volume
10
Issue
3
Pages
182-194
Publisher Name
Family Science Association
Abstract
This paper describes a classroom exercise in selecting measurement instruments that is applicable to both undergraduate and graduate family research methods courses. The question of how 10 measure the construct of "family involvement" is used as a concrete illustration. This exercise is designed to sensitize students to the issues involved in defining and measuring conceptual variables in family studies, and 10 teach three important lessons about measurement: (a) the first step in finding appropriate instruments is 10 conceptualize precisely the research construct; (b) there are many ways 10 measure any one conceptual variable, and these multiple approaches should be compared and contrasted in relation to one's particular research application; and (c) a construct should be measured in a way that most closely matches its conceptual definition. The exercise also teaches students how to use available technology to select more effectively and efficiently family-related measures.
Recommended Citation
Brockway, Jennifer H. and Bryant, Fred B.. Teaching the Process of Instrument Selection in Family Research. Family Science Review, 10, 3: 182-194, 1997. Retrieved from Loyola eCommons, Psychology: Faculty Publications and Other Works,
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Copyright Statement
© Family Science Association, 1997.
Comments
Author Posting © Family Science Association, 1997. This article is posted here by permission of the Family Science Association for personal use, not for redistribution. The article was published in Family Science Review, Volume 10, Issue 3, August 1997, https://www.familyscienceassociation.org/family-science-review