Defining and Measuring Variables- Scales Reliability and Validity in Practice
Notes
Variables can be categorized into four different ways. These include nominal, ordinal, ratio, and interval. The measurement instrument used in the research needs to be reliable and valid. My study seeks to identify the relationship between fashion magazines and body image. The dependent variable is body image which can be operationally defined as the mental representation of one’s body compared to others (Radwan et al., 2019).
Description of Everything Observed or That Can Be Remembered.
Nominal scale refers to data that can be categorized, such as marital status. Ordinal scale refers to data that can be both categorized and ranked. For instance, the level of education can be categorized and ranked from the lowest to the highest (primary, high school, college, or university). An Interval scale refers to data that can be categorized, ranked, and evenly spaced. An example is the temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit. The ratio scale relates to information that can be categorized, ranked, evenly spaced, and has a true zero point or natural zero. A true zero implies that there is an absolute lack of the variable of interest (Mishra et al., 2018). An example is age and weight.
Analysis
Nominal and ordinal scales are referred to as qualitative scales, whereas ratios and intervals are known as continuous or numeric scales. Reliability and validity are considered important since one needs to ensure that the measurement instrument measures what one intends to measure. It also measures the variable the same way every time. Reliable and valid measures help a researcher to lessen the probability of error.
Reflection
From the definitions above, my study will make use of an ordinal scale to measure the dependent variable. The values will range from 1 to 6, which is very thin to very obese. This scale will help me identify women’s perceptions of their bodies after prolonged fashion magazine exposure.
References
Mishra, P., Pandey, C. M., Singh, U., & Gupta, A. (2018). Scales of measurement and presentation of statistical data. Annals of cardiac anesthesia, 21(4), 419.
Radwan, H., Hasan, H. A., Ismat, H., Hakim, H., Khalid, H., Al-Fityani, L.,& Ayman, A. (2019). Body mass index perception, body image dissatisfaction and their relations with weight-related behaviors among university students. International journal of environmental research and public health, 16(9), 1541.
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Question 
ACTIVITY INSTRUCTIONS
For this assignment, write 2-3 field note entries on defining and measuring variables in your field:
The different measurement scales (ordinal, nominal, ratio, and interval)
Be sure to define the dependent variable being measured operationally with the scale.
Defining and Measuring Variables- Scales Reliability and Validity in Practice
Reliability and validity.
The weekly entries will be marked as complete/incomplete. However, you may receive feedback on your entries from the instructor. You’ll submit your completed journal at the end of the course for a final grade.
All assignments combined are 25% of your final course grade.