Curtin University Homepage
  • Library
  • Help
    • Admin

    espace - Curtin’s institutional repository

    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
    View Item 
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item
    • espace Home
    • espace
    • Curtin Research Publications
    • View Item

    Measurement issues in the use of rating scale instruments in learning environment research

    Access Status
    Fulltext not available
    Authors
    Cavanagh, Rob
    Date
    2007
    Type
    Conference Paper
    
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Citation
    Cavanagh, R. 2007. Measurement issues in the use of rating scale instruments in learning environment research, in Jeffery, R. (ed), International Educational Research Conference, Nov 25-29 2007. Fremantle, WA: AARE.
    Source Title
    Proccedings the 2007 International Education Research Conference - AARE
    Source Conference
    AARE 2007 Fremantle - International Education Research Conference
    Additional URLs
    http://www.aare.edu.au/data/publications/2007/cav07156.pdf
    ISSN
    1324-9339
    Faculty
    Faculty of Education, Language Studies and Social Work
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/7965
    Collection
    • Curtin Research Publications
    Abstract

    The history of learning environment research is characterised by the creation and application of rating scale instruments to elicit attitudinal data from students and teachers about the learning environment. For several decades, the data from these instruments have been subject to various types of statistical analysis. Typically, such analyses are applied as part of the instrument development process as well as to inform answering of questions about the attributes of learning environments, the influences on learning environments, and the temporal stability of learning environments. Notwithstanding the widespread use of statistical techniques in quantitative learning environment research, these techniques do not necessarily reflect the knowledge and methods developed in the fields of objective measurement and rating scale analysis. It is therefore timely and appropriate to examine the implications of objective measurement theory and practice for the use of rating scales in learning environment research. The objective of this paper is to apply a measurement perspective to examine the issues involved in the development of ratings scales and in the analysis of the data they elicit. An argument is made that using raw scores from rating scale instruments for subsequent arithmetic operations and applying linear statistics is less preferable than using measures.

    Related items

    Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.

    • Perceptions of the learning environment, attitudes towards science, and understandings of the nature of science among prospective elementary teachers in an innovative science course
      Martin-Dunlop, Catherine S. (2004)
      The major purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a science course for prospective elementary teachers on their perceptions of the learning environment, attitudes towards science, and understandings of the ...
    • The development and validation of a learning environment instrument for CSIRO Science Education Centres
      Harington, Darrel G. (2001)
      Past research into defining and measuring the characteristics of learning environments in Science Education Centres and Science Museums (SECSMs) has been based upon low-inference measures, such as observations and interviews. ...
    • Virtual Field Trips: Using Information Technology to Create an Integrated Science Learning Environment
      Nix, Rebekah Kincaid (2003)
      This study evaluated a new Integrated Science Learning Environment (ISLE) that bridged the gaps between the traditionally separate classroom, field trip, and information technology milieus. The ISLE model involves a ...
    Advanced search

    Browse

    Communities & CollectionsIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument TypeThis CollectionIssue DateAuthorTitleSubjectDocument Type

    My Account

    Admin

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    Follow Curtin

    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 
    • 

    CRICOS Provider Code: 00301JABN: 99 143 842 569TEQSA: PRV12158

    Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy statement | Accessibility

    Curtin would like to pay respect to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of our community by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which the Perth campus is located, the Whadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation; and on our Kalgoorlie campus, the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields.