Effects of Item Position on Psychometric Information From Affective Surveys

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 57
  In Roundtable Session: Surveys in Educational Research

Abstract

Surveys are frequently used to collect data about social and behavioral constructs. Of primary interest for researchers is to use the survey information to represent the content under study. While characteristics of survey development have been studied (e.g., number of scale points, use of anchors, wording direction), little study exists concerning the effects that item placement may have on psychometric information and even respondents’ perspectives when completing surveys. The purpose of this study is to examine of item position with an affective survey to determine the effects on psychometric information and scale structure.

Authors

• Steve G Barth, University of South Carolina - Columbia

• Christine DiStefano, University of South Carolina

• Fred Greer, University of South Carolina