Rating Scales
RATING SCALES
INTRODUCTION
Rating scales, as the name implies, are scales for rating each of the characteristics or activities one is seeking to observe or assess. A rating scale is a set of categories designed to elicit information about a quantitative or qualitative attribute. They enable an observer to systematically and objectively observe a person and record those observations. In the social sciences, a common example is the Likert scale in which a person is person selects the rating which is considered to reflect the perceived quality or product. Although such scales are not limited to the recording and evaluating of observations, those are the common and popular uses of the instrument.
Rating scales have long been valued as an observation instrument by counselors. They are useful as a means of focusing on specific characteristics, increasing the objectivity of the rater, and providing for comparability of observations among observers; and they are easy to use. (Gibson & Mitshell, 1990).
One of the most popular methods for obtaining reactions from observers in psychological measurement context is the use of rating scales. The procedure requires observers to assign rating to objects to indicate their attitude about some statement or object, or their perception of some property of the object.
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS/ CONCEPTS 1. Rating scales possess sound psychometric properties, that is, they are reliable and valid assessment tools. 2. Ethical users of rating scale methods must be knowledgeable about the concept reliability and validity. 3. Users must be trained in interpreting rating scales scores and outcomes. 4. The scale is ordinal in nature. 5. The numerical values of items on the scale can be assigned to individual item responses. 6. The numerical values of items on the scale can be summed up to arrive at an overall score for those items considered as addressing the same underlining construct (Brown-Chidsey & Andren,
INTRODUCTION
Rating scales, as the name implies, are scales for rating each of the characteristics or activities one is seeking to observe or assess. A rating scale is a set of categories designed to elicit information about a quantitative or qualitative attribute. They enable an observer to systematically and objectively observe a person and record those observations. In the social sciences, a common example is the Likert scale in which a person is person selects the rating which is considered to reflect the perceived quality or product. Although such scales are not limited to the recording and evaluating of observations, those are the common and popular uses of the instrument.
Rating scales have long been valued as an observation instrument by counselors. They are useful as a means of focusing on specific characteristics, increasing the objectivity of the rater, and providing for comparability of observations among observers; and they are easy to use. (Gibson & Mitshell, 1990).
One of the most popular methods for obtaining reactions from observers in psychological measurement context is the use of rating scales. The procedure requires observers to assign rating to objects to indicate their attitude about some statement or object, or their perception of some property of the object.
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS/ CONCEPTS 1. Rating scales possess sound psychometric properties, that is, they are reliable and valid assessment tools. 2. Ethical users of rating scale methods must be knowledgeable about the concept reliability and validity. 3. Users must be trained in interpreting rating scales scores and outcomes. 4. The scale is ordinal in nature. 5. The numerical values of items on the scale can be assigned to individual item responses. 6. The numerical values of items on the scale can be summed up to arrive at an overall score for those items considered as addressing the same underlining construct (Brown-Chidsey & Andren,
References: Beal, J. (2013). How to develop rating scales. Retrieved May, 2013 from http://www.ehow.com/list_6053607_types-rating-scales.html Brown-Chidsey, R. & Anden, J. K. (2013). Assessment for Intervention: A Problem-Solving Approach Friedman, H. & Amoo, T. (1999). Rating the Rating Scales. Journal of marketing management Gibson, R. L. & Mitchell, M. H. (1990). Introduction to conseling and guidance. New York: Macmllan Publishing Company. Shertzer, B. & Stone, C. (1976). The fundamentals of guidance. Houghton: Mifflin Company. Taylor, A. I. & Buku, D. K. (2006). Basics in Guidance and Counseling. (2nd ed.). Winneba: Department of psychology & education, University of Education. Walters, B. (2009). Personality assessment. Retrieved March, 2009 from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/453022/personality-assessment/36118/Rating-scales