Investigating the Effects of Extreme Response Styles Using the Nominal Response Model

• In Event: 53.067 - Statistical Research in the Contexts of Parametric Assumption Violations, Simulation, Structural Equation Modeling, and Ordinal or Nominal Data Analyses

Abstract

This study uses the nominal response model to investigate the effects of extreme response styles. The Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) is a commonly used scale for the identification of anxiety disorders. In some cases, the response options are not extreme, ranging from A little of the time to Most of the time; in other cases, extreme responses are used: None or a little to Most or all of the time. The SAS was administered to two samples, each having a different response set. Results indicated that the items administered with extreme responses were more informative for those at the middle of the distribution, while items administered without the extreme responses were more informative at the ends of the distribution.

Authors

• Ki Matlock Cole, Oklahoma State University

• Ronna L. Turner, University of Arkansas

• Wallace D. Gitchel, University of Arkansas at Little Rock