To select the most discriminating items for a Likert-type attitude scale, one would administer the items to a pilot group and then calculate the correlations between
A) item scores and total scores.
B) scores on the odd and even items.
C) scores on the positively stated and the negatively stated items.
D) scores on the scale and scores on criterion measuring the same attitudes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Calculating the correlations between item scores and total scores would show which items have the highest correlation with overall attitude. These items would be the most discriminating and would be included in the final scale. Correlating scores on odd and even items or positively and negatively stated items would not necessarily indicate which items are most discriminating. Correlating scores on the scale with scores on a criterion measuring the same attitudes may be useful but is not mentioned in the question stem.

To Select the Most Discriminating Items for a Likert-Type Attitude