PGTRB-TET-RESEARCH METHOD-CHECK LIST,RATING SCALE:
Objectives:
*The meaning and types of rating scales.
*The various errors in rating scales.
Psychological tests and inventories, questionnaires, rating scale, observations, interviews etc.,
I)CHECK LIST:
- The checklist, the simplest of all the devices is a prepared list of behaviours or items.
- The presence or absence of the behaviour may be indicated by checking ‘yes’ or ‘no’ or the type or number of items may be indicated by inserting appropriate word or number.
- The simple “laundry – list” type of device systematizes and facilities the recording of observations and helps to ensure consideration of the important aspects of the object or act observed.
- We construct a check list to measure or observe any phenomena as well as evaluate the programmes, methods and procedures.
II)RATING SCALE:
A rating scale a selected list of words pharse, sentences, paragraphs, an observer records a value or rating based on some objective scale values.
It is a special kind of check list in which the items or characteristic checked are rated quantitatively or qualitatively according to the degree or presence or absence of a trait, the perfection of a skill or the degree of completion of a task.
Types of Rating Scales:
1)Numerical Scales:
In a numerical scale a sequence of defined numbers are supplied to the observer.
a)Very unsatisfactory
b)unsatisfactory
c)I do not know (no comment)
d)satisfactory
e)very satisfactory.
Numerical scales are among the easier to construct and to apply the result are also easy to handle.
2)Graphic scales:
In graphic scales the response are written along a line in which the line may be segmental it can be continuous.
The lines can be drawn horizontally or vertically.
They are simple and easily administered. they llok more attractive than other types of rating scales.
3)Standard Scales:
These scales present to the rate a set of standards.
with the set of standards at hand the new stimuli can be rated very effectively.
The task to prepare a set of standards but once it has been finalized ratings become easy and more meaningful.
4)Rating by Cumulated Points:
The quality of this category of rating lies in its scoring method.
The score of an individuals is cumulated on different items.
HARSHORNE :
In terms of quantitative description these scale require least discriminations on the part of the rater. One may say that for a rater each item has two responses to be weighted as +1 and 0.
5)Forced Choice Rating:
In both graphic and descriptive rating scales the rater finds it difficult to have control over the final results of his rating.
Forced choice rating scale forces the rater to choose between two alternatives and the responses made are more correct.
A number of such paired statements are given and the rater has to choose one between the two from each pair.
Errors in Rating Scale:
There are six types of errors in the rating scales
i)The Errors of Learning:
The raters have a tendency to rate the items higher than they deserve in whom they are interested.
ii)The Errors of Central Tendency:
The raters hesitate to give extreme ratings and restrict themselves in the central zone of the scale.
iii)The Halo Effect:
The raters tend tp rate some traits in the same direction which is carried over by the general impression of the individual rated.
iv)A Logical Error:
The rater tend to give similar rating for traits that seem to be logically related in the mind of raters.
v)A Contrast Error:
There is a tendency among raters to rate in the opposite direction from themselves with regard to a trait.
vi)A Proximity Error:
Due to closeness the ratings on adjacent traits art likely to be correlated high than the traits remotely placed.
Constructing rating scales:
1. Traits should be described objectively and uni-vocally.
2. A trait should not be a composite of two or more independent traits.
3. Each trait should refer to a single type of activity.
4.In describing traits the use of adjectives like very, extreme, etc.,
5. Traits should be judged on the basis of past and present accomplishment.
6. In self rating there should be no trait in which all individuals over or under estimate themselves.
7. Rating scales should not be used for such traits for which more reliable data can be obtained by other sources or tools.
8. Select only very significant traits to be rated.
Advantages:
- Rating require less than ranking methods.
- With graphic methods the procedure is very interesting.
- They can be used with persons having minimum training for making ratings.
- They have much wider range of application.
- They can be used with large numbers of stimuli.
- Best Judgement are made when stimuli are presented individually.
Limitations;
Rating scale required great ability and understanding on the part on the observers and any one is not suited for this job.
Rating scale is prepared by a single individual, it may contain a number of errors.
Ratings by some raters are too low, other they are too high.