Question 1

A researcher concerned with whether a particular measurement technique will,after repeated measures,yield the same results is concerned with:
A) accuracy
B) reliability
C) precise measurement
D) validity

Accepted Answer

Reliability is the extent to which a measurement technique produces consistent results over time. This includes whether the same results can be obtained through repeated measures. Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to its true value, precise measurement refers to the consistency of measurements, and validity refers to whether a measurement is measuring what it is intended to measure.

Question 2

Conceptualization is the process by which we specify precisely what we mean when we use particular terms.

Accepted Answer

Conceptualization involves defining and clarifying terms to ensure that everyone involved in a conversation or project has a shared understanding of what is being discussed or worked on.

Question 3

One good indicator of crime seriousness is harm to the crime victim.

Accepted Answer

The harm caused to the crime victim is a good indicator of crime seriousness. The greater the harm and suffering caused to the victim, the more serious the crime is considered. This is often reflected in the sentencing of criminals in courts, where more severe sentences are given for crimes that result in greater harm to the victim.

Question 4

According to Abraham Kaplan's (1964)discussion; which of the following are not included in the three classes of things that a researcher measures?
A) direct observables
B) indirect observables
C) constructs
D) discreet observables

Accepted Answer

There are three classes of things that a researcher measures, which are direct observables, indirect observables, and constructs. Discreet observables are not mentioned in Kaplan's discussion.

Question 5

Criterion related validity refers to:
A) a comparison of measures to some external criterion
B) an empirical measure that may or may not agree with our common understanding of a particular concept
C) the degree to which a measure covers the range of meanings included within the concepts
D) the basis of logical relationships among variables

Accepted Answer

Criterion related validity refers to the extent to which a measure is related to an external criterion. Therefore, it involves a comparison of measures to some external criterion. Option B refers to construct validity, option C refers to content validity, and option D refers to convergent validity.

Question 6

Every variable should have two important qualities; their attributes should be exhaustive as well as mutually exclusive.

Accepted Answer

Variables should have attributes that cover all possible options (exhaustive) and ensure that there is no overlap between the options (mutually exclusive). This provides a clear understanding of the data and helps with accurate analysis.

Question 7

Reliability is threatened every time there is a single observer as the source of data.

Accepted Answer

Reliability is based on the consistency and accuracy of data over time and across different observers. Having only one observer can increase the risk of bias and errors, therefore threatening the reliability of the data.

Question 8

Ratio measures are the highest level,followed by:
A) interval, nominal and ordinal
B) nominal, interval, ordinal
C) interval, ordinal, and nominal
D) ordinal, nominal, interval

Accepted Answer

This is the correct order of measurement scales from highest to lowest. Ratio scales have a true zero point and allow for meaningful ratios between measurements. Interval scales have equal intervals between measurements but no true zero point. Ordinal scales allow for the ranking of measurements, but the difference between each measurement is not necessarily equal. Nominal scales are the lowest level of measurement and only allow for categorization of data.

Question 9

An empirical measure that adequately reflects the meaning of the concept under consideration is known as:
A) reliability
B) validity
C) accuracy
D) face validity

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure, while accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value. Face validity refers to whether a measure appears to be measuring what it is intended to measure, but it is not a guarantee of actual validity. Validity is the most appropriate answer as it refers to the extent to which a measure measures what it is intended to measure, and is considered the most important criterion for evaluating the quality of an empirical measure.

Question 10

Ordinal measures are variables whose attributes may be logically rank-ordered.

Accepted Answer

Ordinal measures are indeed variables that can be ranked in a logical order, such as low to high or least to most. Examples might include socioeconomic status or levels of educational attainment.

Question 11

Reliability is measuring what you think you are measuring.

Accepted Answer

Reliability refers to the consistency of a measure, not whether it measures what it is intended to measure, which is validity.

Question 12

Particular empirical measures that may or may not agree with common understandings of our individual mental images about a specific concept are known as:
A) reliability
B) validity
C) accuracy
D) face validity

Accepted Answer

Face validity refers to the extent to which a test appears to measure what it is supposed to measure, and whether it seems to fit the concept it purports to measure at face value. This is about the superficial agreement with common understandings or mental images of a concept, rather than deeper, empirical validation.

Question 13

It is always a good idea to make more than one measurement of any subtle or complex social concept,which is known as:
A) test-retest method
B) inter-rater reliability
C) split-half method
D) face validity

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is always a good idea to...

Question 14

Recidivism represents a collection of related phenomena either observed or heard about.

Accepted Answer

Recidivism is a well-established phenomenon in criminology, referring to the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend. It is supported by empirical research and is widely acknowledged in the criminal justice system.

Question 15

Sometimes it is necessary to make the same measurement more than once,which is known as:
A) test-retest method
B) inter-rater reliability
C) split-half method
D) face validity

Accepted Answer

The test-retest method involves measuring the same variable at two different time points to assess the reliability of the measurement. It is commonly used in research to ensure that the results are consistent over time.

Question 16

Age of an offender is an example of which level of measurement?
A) interval
B) nominal
C) ratio
D) ordinal

Accepted Answer

Age is an example of ratio measurement because it has a true zero point (i.e., birth) and is continuous. Nominal measurement would categorize offenders by some attribute (e.g., gender) without any meaningful order or measurement. Ordinal measurement would rank offenders by some attribute (e.g., offense severity) without any particular measurement of difference between ranks. Interval measurement would have equal intervals between measurements (e.g., temperature on a Celsius or Fahrenheit scale), but may not have a true zero point.

Question 17

A lower-level measure cannot be converted to a higher-level one.

Accepted Answer

A lower-level measure is more specific and detailed than a higher-level measure. Therefore, it is not possible to convert a lower-level measure to a higher-level one without losing some of the detail.

Question 18

Content validity refers to:
A) a comparison of measures to some external criterion
B) an empirical measure that may or may not agree with our common understanding of a particular concept
C) the degree to which a measure covers the range of meanings included within the concepts
D) the basis of logical relationships among variables

Accepted Answer

Content validity refers to the degree to which a measure covers the range of meanings included within the concepts, and thus relates to how well a measure captures the intended construct or concept.

Question 19

Mental images of serious crime may vary among individuals depending on their backgrounds and experiences.

Accepted Answer

Mental images of serious crime can vary based on factors like culture, personal experiences, and exposure to media. Therefore, it is true that individuals may have different mental images of what constitutes a serious crime.

Question 20

Recidivism is a term to represent a collection of unrelated phenomena that we have either observed or heard about somewhere.

Accepted Answer

Recidivism refers specifically to the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend, indicating a relapse into criminal behavior after having been previously convicted and presumably rehabilitated or punished.

Quiz 5: Concepts Operationalization And-Measurement

A researcher concerned with whether a particular measurement technique will,after repeated measures,yield the same results is concerned with:

Conceptualization is the process by which we specify precisely what we mean when we use particular terms.

One good indicator of crime seriousness is harm to the crime victim.

According to Abraham Kaplan's (1964) discussion; which of the following are not included in the three classes of things that a researcher measures?

Criterion related validity refers to:

Every variable should have two important qualities; their attributes should be exhaustive as well as mutually exclusive.

Reliability is threatened every time there is a single observer as the source of data.

Ratio measures are the highest level,followed by:

An empirical measure that adequately reflects the meaning of the concept under consideration is known as:

Ordinal measures are variables whose attributes may be logically rank-ordered.

Reliability is measuring what you think you are measuring.

Particular empirical measures that may or may not agree with common understandings of our individual mental images about a specific concept are known as:

It is always a good idea to make more than one measurement of any subtle or complex social concept,which is known as:

Recidivism represents a collection of related phenomena either observed or heard about.

Sometimes it is necessary to make the same measurement more than once,which is known as:

Age of an offender is an example of which level of measurement?

A lower-level measure cannot be converted to a higher-level one.

Content validity refers to:

Mental images of serious crime may vary among individuals depending on their backgrounds and experiences.

Recidivism is a term to represent a collection of unrelated phenomena that we have either observed or heard about somewhere.