Hogan (2007), “an attitude is usually defined with respect to its
object” (p. 573). Since attitudes attach to objects it makes them recognizable
in regard to distinguishing between personality traits and interests. Measuring
attitudes is a significant means of assessing individuals’ thoughts, feelings,
and actions in regard to an object. Psychologists use attitude surveys for
translating individuals’ subjective attitudes into empirical data. An attitude
survey has the capacity of providing information that is significant and
valuable in regard to assessing the thoughts, feelings, and actions of
individuals in regard to an object. Developing an attitude survey requires six
essential steps that are the identical six steps required in developing tests.
The six steps include defining the test's (or survey’s) purpose, preliminary
design issues, item preparation, item analysis, standardization and ancillary
research programs, and preparation of final materials and publication (Hogan,
2007). These six steps provide the typical chronological order and logical
progression for developing an attitude survey (Hogan, 2007).
Defining the Test’s Purpose
The development of a survey starts with the first step, that is, a
statement that clearly defines the purpose for the survey. Therefore, the
purpose of the attitude survey I developed is to assess or measure the
attitudes of college graduates in regard to college degrees, that is, whether
college graduates agree with the value of college degrees or do not agree with
their value.
Preliminary Design Issues
The next step in the development of an attitude survey is making
decisions in regard to the design of the survey. These decisions are the result
of the survey’s purpose and intended score interpretations and practical
considerations (Hogan, 2007). The survey administration is by a college
graduate who has an understanding of the time, effort, and cost occurred when
obtaining and completing a college; therefore, college students or individuals
who never attended college cannot administer the survey. The length of this
survey will be a short administration time of 15 minutes; making it more
effective survey. I developed my attitude survey based on the Likert format,
that is, a purpose-built selected-response true or false item format (Hogan,
2007). This survey will yield 10 scores, one score for each item that measures the
attitude of the respondents; with the possible answers being either true or
false.
A score report will be a handwritten record of respondent scores. The
score report will be a compilation of every individual score compiled into a
total score of true-false answers. As for administrator training, the only
requirement to administer, score, and interpret this survey will be that one
has to hold at least a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. As for background
research, I performed extensive research in regard to the cost of a four year
degree and the average yearly and lifetime compensation one will receive with
and without a college degree. The only design issues that arose were
determining how to compile items or questions that would reflect the attitudes
of college graduates.
Instructions
for Administering, Scoring, and Interpreting the Survey
Administering this survey will take place at the University of
Phoenix alumni functions and meetings. The administrator will sit with each
respondent while he or she answers each survey in 15 minutes. As for scoring,
the administrator will add the separate total of true responses and then add
the total false responses of each survey; then add the total of true response
scores of every survey and then add the total of false response scores of every
survey. As for interpreting the survey results and the attitudes of the
respondents, the interpreter will compare the total scores of true and false
responses. If the total sum of true score responses is higher than false score responses
than the attitude of college graduates is that they agree with the value of
college degrees. If the total sum of false score responses is greater than true
score response then the attitude of college graduates is that they do not agree
with the value of college degrees.
Standardization and Ancillary Research Programs
and Publication
Alumni of the University of Phoenix will be the norm group as for
this survey; therefore, its standardization is the result of administering it
to the varying alumni members. The standardization program will take place at
alumni functions and meetings. In regard to ancillary research programs, such
programs will occur by analyzing the data resulting from the norming program
(Hogan, 2007). As for publication, the directions to administer and interpret
this survey, as well as the technical manual, score report, and supplementary
materials will be available through the University of Phoenix Alumni
Association’s website.
Conclusion
The attitude survey I developed uses
the six essential steps of test development and follows the Likert scale format;
true-false items of achievement for assessing or measuring attitudes. My survey
is an attempt to assess or measure the thoughts, feelings, and actions of
respondents. The specific purpose of the survey was to assess or measure the
attitudes of college graduates in regard to college degrees.
Reference
True-False Items
For the 10 items listed, either mark true or false if the item is
true or mostly true or false or mostly.
1.
Is a college degree still worth the time, cost, and effort?
True or False
2.
Is college a safe bet?
True or False
3.
Do college graduates earn higher pay?
True or False
4.
Better jobs are available for college graduates?
True or False
5.
Is going to college a mistake for many individuals?
True or False
6.
Is the cost of earning a college degree and graduate
degrees too high?
True or False
7.
Does the financial cost justify going to college?
True or False
8.
Is not going to college more expensive than going to
college?
True or False
9.
Are college graduates better off than non-college
graduates?
True or False
10. Do
college graduates have better and more opportunities of employment?
True or False
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