Judgment Scale Research Articles

Data on verbal expressions for thermal sensation and comfort in the Greek language.

This article presents data collected during a web-based survey on expressions used to describe thermal sensation and comfort in the Greek language. The survey used a structured questionnaire and delivered through Google Forms. The survey was promoted through social networks and conducted in spring 2019. The data presented herein comprise of the participants’ responses to the questionnaire. A total of 359 questionnaires were completed. The participants were Greek speakers, older than 12, with at least a basic knowledge of the English language. The participants were asked to: (a) select the most appropriate translation, from English to Greek, of the nine-point ISO 10551 scale of perceptual judgment on personal thermal state, (b) formulate five, seven and nine-point thermal sensation scales, (c) report the category of the thermal sensation scale that signifies thermal comfort and (d) to assess the relative distances between the thermal sensation categories of the five, seven and nine-point thermal sensation scales. For the translation of the ISO 10551, the respondents were allowed to choose from a list of 30 Greek wordings. The data have been analysed in the research article entitled “Native influences on the construction of thermal sensation scales” [1].

Fuzzified synthetic extent weighted average for appraisal of design concepts

Decision-making models such as Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), Weighted Decision Matrix (WDM), Pugh Matrix and the likes have been able to assist in the decision process considering the objectives of each evaluation criteria in the alternatives. However, these models need to consider the qualitative and subjective nature of the design features. In order to reduce the unbalanced scale of judgment and the uncertainty associated with the crisp information in the decision process, fuzzified and hybridized models are necessary. Existing hybridized decision models applied for machine concept selection deploy several design features and sub-features at the conceptual product design, which thus make the decision making process to be tedious. In light of this, this article presents a hybridized decision-making model, which harness the comparative strength and computational integrity of fuzzy pairwise comparison matrix and fuzzy weighted average, to numerically analyse a reasonable amount of machine design features, thereby making decision making process less tedious. Design for reconfigurability and functionality which are peculiar to reconfigurable machines was introduced using a Reconfigurable Assembly Fixture (RAF) as a case study while other design features related to design concept evaluation were grouped under design for X. The result of the hybridized model shows that, concept three is the optimal design from four sets of designs. This is compared to previous publication using the RAF design concepts with different design features and sub-features. The comparison indicates that there is a close range in the final values of the designs due to the inclusion of several sub-features in the decision process which were not used in the previous study.

Association Between Severity of Adolescents’ Peer Problems and Moral Judgment Development

Previous studies supported that adolescents’ moral judgment decreases as their peer problems increase in severity. The objective of the present research was to examine peer problems as a predictor of adolescents’ moral judgment development based upon Jessor’s problem behavior theory and Gibbs moral development theory. It was hypothesized that moral judgment increases with growing age and thus, older adolescents are expected to be at higher stages of moral judgment development than younger adolescents. It was also assumed that adolescents with severe peer problems will be at lower level of moral judgment development than their counterparts. The younger adolescents (n = 140; M = 13.1 year) and older adolescents (n = 147; M = 19 year) were compared on measures of Index of Peer Relations and Padua Moral Judgment Scale. The findings showed that adolescents’ moral judgment development declined with an increase in peer problems, particularly during late adolescence. Adolescents who reported having moderate and severe peer problems had lower level of moral judgment development than those with no and mild peer problems. Findings provided guideline for future researchers and practitioners.

Scaling of Mood-State and Sample Cases Causing Anger in a Relationship with Rank-Order Judgment and Classifying Judgment

This study is a survey study which aims to determine underlying causes of anger and the anger levels of individuals, in the sample cases and mood-states defined in the research. 255 people participated by filling in forms developed by the researcher. They were asked to rank 6 mood-state expressions between 1 and 6, to classify 23 sample case expressions between 1 and 4. Using Microsoft Office Excel 2016, responses given to mood-state expressions were examined with rank-order and given to sample case expressions were examined with classifying judgment with respect to gender and marital status. The findings of rank-order judgment scaling revealed that all participants get angry most when they are treated unfairly and they get angry least when they are criticized. It was also found that females got angry more at being neglected, and males got angry more at arrogance and mistrust. It was concluded that married people got angry more at being neglected; unmarrieds got angry more at mistrust. The findings of classifying judgment scaling showed that all participants get angry the most when unnecessary and offending comments are made about their families. They get angry the least when their partners are fan of any subject. It also has been seen that married participants chose ‘Ignoring the subjects that I care about’ the most and those who are unmarried chose ‘Making unnecessary and offending comments about my family’ the most.

A Day of Judgment: a Study on Turkish Muslims Students

The sacred texts in Judaism, Christianity and Islam all advocate the idea of a Day of Judgment following death. The aims of the present study were (1) to investigate the psychometric properties of the Belief in a Day of Judgment Scale (Beshai and Lester 2013), (2) to explore gender- differences in these beliefs, and (3) to investigate differences in beliefs about the Judgment Day across academic disciplines in sampled students. A sample of 275 female and 110 male Turkish students was recruited from six academic disciplines: English language and literature, sociology, mathematics, psychological counseling, divinity, and nursing. Participants responded to the Turkish version of the Belief in a Day of Judgment Scale. Reliability of the scale from this sample revealed a Cronbach’s a of 0.92, and a principal component analysis extracted two components labeled Belief in a Day of Judgment and Bad Behavior/Actions Toward Others. Men and women did not differ in scores, but the discipline-related differences were significant. Further research should use a representative sample derived from the general population in Turkey and explore comparisons among Jewish, Christian, and Muslim samples.

Moral Judgment of Children Deprived and Non Deprived of Parental Care in Majd al-Krum and its Relationship to Aggressive Behavior: الحكم الخلقي لدى الأبناء المحرومين وغير المحرومين من الرعاية الوالدية في مجد الكروم في فلسطين وعلاقته بالسلوك العدواني

The aim of the study was to investigate moral judgment and its relationship with aggressive behavior among parental care deprived and non- deprived children at Majd Al Krum. The sample of the study consisted of (400) male and female students, of whom (200) parental care deprived children and (200) parental care non- deprived children at Majd Al Krum, Palestine in the 2018/2019 school year. To achieve the aims of the study, the researcher used Moral Judgment Scale developed by Abdel Fattah (2001), while Aggressive Behavior Scale was developed by the researcher. Validity and reliability for both scales were verified. The results of the study revealed low levels of moral judgment among parental care deprived children, while moderate levels of moral judgment were found among parental care non- deprived children at Majd Al Krum. The results of the study indicate high levels of aggressive behavior among parental care deprived children, while low levels of aggressive behavior were found among parental care non- deprived children at Majd Al Krum. There were no statistically significant differences in moral judgment and aggressive behavior level among parental care deprived and non-deprived children at Majd Al Krum due to gender. There were also no statistically significant differences in aggressive behavior among parental care non- deprived children at Majd Al Krum due to class level, while statistically significant differences were found in aggressive behavior among parental care deprived children at Majd al Krum due to class level, in favor of fifth grade students. The results revealed a statistically negative correlation between moral judgment and aggressive behavior among parental care deprived and non- deprived children at Majd Al Krum. Several recommendations and suggestions were presented including the need for future research on this category of children deprived and non deprived of Parental Care in the light of different variables such as emotional intelligence, psychological flexibility, and self-image.

Assessment of aesthetical quality of architectural elements of Colonial buildings in Jalan Basuki Rahmat, Malang

Karakter suatu bangunan dibentuk oleh beberapa elemen. Diantaranya adalah elemen arsitektural. Elemen arsitektural bisa dinilai menggunakan skala penilaian kualitas estetika. Nilai estetika berkaitan erat dengan persepsi masyarakat. Bangunan Kolonial di Jalan Basuki Rahmat Malang memiliki karakter yang khas sehingga patut dilestarikan. Penilaian estetika bangunan merupakan langkah awal dalam upaya pelestarian bangunan Kolonial. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai kualitas estetika elemen arsitektural bangunan Kolonial di Jalan Basuki Rahmat Malang. Kuesioner digunakan untuk pengambilan data. Pengukuran kualitas estetika dilakukan dengan menggunakan semantic differential scale. Masyarakat diminta menilai kualitas estetika bangunan berdasarkan persepsinya masing-masing dengan melihat foto. Data dianalisis menggunakan descriptive statistics, independent samples test, dan linier regression. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa elemen arsitektural yang berdampak paling signifikan terhadap keindahan bangunan kolonial adalah fasade. Bangunan kolonial dengan nilai estetika tertinggi adalah Gereja Hati Kudus Yesus Malang.

Developing Education Profession Ethics Among Pre-services Teachers: Kohlberg Modeled Training Program Intervention

This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of a training program based on Kohlberg Moral Growth Theory in the development of education profession ethics among pre-service teachers at the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan. The study population consisted of (134) classroom teacher students in the academic year 2018/2019. Randomly, (30) students were assigned as the experimental group and (30) students as the control group. Moral judgment scale developed by Al-Disi and Rawadieh (2019) was used to measure moral judgement of education profession ethics. The training program consisted of (6) modules in accordance with Kohlberg. The experimental group joined the ethics training program for two months. Results showed that the training program was (71%) effective in the development of the education profession ethics among the experimental group. The researchers recommended investing the training program in developing a curriculum course of education profession ethics for pre-service teachers. Keywords: Kohlberg, Pre-Service Teachers, Training Program, Education Profession Ethics, Jordan. DOI : 10.7176/JEP/11-2-04 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

ATTITUDES TOWARD DEATH AND THE RELIGIOUS CONSCIOUSNESS OF YOUTH

Purpose of the study: this study aimed to analyze the modern representation of death by studying the attitude of religious people, mainly Christians, towards death.
 Methodology: On the basis of the Siberian Federal University, the authors conducted research on the attitude of student youth towards death. The questionnaire in a standardized fashion was used. Likert scale judgments were analyzed. The methodological concepts of the attitude towards the death of such authors as Philippe Ariès and Gilbert Durand, as well as the Russian cosmists, served as the prerequisite for the formation of the research hypothesis. The group of the respondent demonstrated the religious beliefs and their faith in God. The answers of the group were interpreted on the subject of their attitude towards death, the ideas of death, and the types of protection against the fear of death.
 Main Findings: In the course of this work, the authors determined that the majority of student youth formed a negative representation of death that does not correspond with the religious ideology. Several concepts that reflect the attitude of youth towards death and their method of fighting the fear of death are described. The authors draw a conclusion on the state of the religious consciousness of student youth that is a result of unfamiliarity with religious norms or the fusion of the traditions of various religions.
 Applications of this study: The study would serve as an antecedent to further investigation on people’s attitude towards death. The research results can also be applied in social anthropology, social philosophy, and sociology.
 Novelty/Originality of this study: The study shows the important attitude of student youth towards death and can help to form the main problems of the religious consciousness of student youth.

Measuring Moral Judgment of Education Profession Ethics Among Pre-Service Teachers of the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan

This study aimed at identifying moral judgment for education profession ethics among pre-service teachers programs of the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan. Accordingly, the researchers developed a Moral Judgment Scale based on Kohlberg (1984), and on the Adult Moral Judgment Scale localized by Abdul-Fattah (2001). The scale consisted of five dilemmas related to ethics in education profession. Validity and reliability of the scale were confirmed. Study population involved (420) students from (5) programs in the academic year 2018/2019. The results of the study showed that the prevailing moral judgement is the second level (conventional morality) of Kohlberg with (308) students of (89.3%), and the fourth stage (Upholding/enforcing norms and laws) with (245) students of (71%) of total students. No students were in the first level, stage 1, stage 2, nor in stage 6. However, significant differences were observed in the level of moral judgment attributable to the academic achievement variable, while no differences were attributable to the program specialization. Moreover, significant differences were found in the moral judgment stages attributable to the academic achievement and students’ program. These findings argue for investment in pre-service teachers’ education to increase their moral judgment during education profession.

Evaluation model of competitive and innovative tourism practices based on information entropy and alternative criteria weight

An evaluation model of competitive and innovative tourism practices in Portugal based on information entropy is proposed. The relative evolution of each criterion/construct is explored in the light of its predictability/randomness in Portuguese companies by calculating and analysing the information entropy of different perceptions on competitive and innovative tourism practices. This article presents a novel approach by using information entropy to handle probabilistically different competitive and innovative practice weights computed by alternative models such as (a) the Fuzzy Rasch model that combines the item response theory and the fuzzy set theory, (b) the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model and (c) the crisp AHP model based on eight different judgment scales on the relative evolution of each criterion/construct. The results show that the total information entropy suggests a strong heterogeneity in Portuguese companies in terms of innovation for competitiveness. They also reveal a significant relationship between innovative tourism practices and tourism competitiveness models.

Metacognition in mathematics: do different metacognitive monitoring measures make a difference?

Metacognitive monitoring in educational contexts is typically measured by calibration indicators, which are based on the correspondence between cognitive performance and metacognitive confidence judgment. Despite this common rationale, a variety of alternative methods are used in the field of monitoring research to assess performance and judgment data and to calculate calibration indicators from them. However, the impact of these methodological differences on the partly incongruent picture of monitoring research has hardly been considered. Thus, the goal of the present study is to examine the effects of methodological choices in the context of mathematics education. To do so, the study compares the effects of two judgment scales (Likert scale vs. visual analogue scale), two response formats (open-ended response vs. closed response format), the information base of judgment (prospective vs. retrospective), and students’ achievement level on confidence judgments. Secondly, the study contrasts measures of three calibration constructs, namely absolute accuracy (Absolute Accuracy Index, Hamann Coefficient), relative accuracy (Gamma, d’), and diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity). One hundred and nine seventh-grade students completed a set of 20 mathematical problems and rated their confidence in a correct solution for each problem prospectively and retrospectively. Our results show a pervasive overconfidence of students across achievement levels. Monitoring was more precise for retrospective judgments and the visual analogue scale format. Gamma, sensitivity, and specificity proved to be susceptible for boundary values, caused by the general overconfidence in the sample. Measures of absolute accuracy were affected by response format of the task and judgment scale, with higher accuracy found for closed response format and visual analogue scale. We observed substantial correlations within the three calibration constructs and comparably low correlations between indicators of different constructs, confirming three interrelated aspects of monitoring accuracy. The low correlations between corresponding prospective and retrospective calibration indicators suggest different calibration processes. Implications for studies on calibration and mathematics education are discussed.

Limits of Perceived Audio-Visual Spatial Coherence as Defined by Reaction Time Measurements.

The ventriloquism effect describes the phenomenon of audio and visual signals with common features, such as a voice and a talking face merging perceptually into one percept even if they are spatially misaligned. The boundaries of the fusion of spatially misaligned stimuli are of interest for the design of multimedia products to ensure a perceptually satisfactory product. They have mainly been studied using continuous judgment scales and forced-choice measurement methods. These results vary greatly between different studies. The current experiment aims to evaluate audio-visual fusion using reaction time (RT) measurements as an indirect method of measurement to overcome these great variances. A two-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) word recognition test was designed and tested with noise and multi-talker speech background distractors. Visual signals were presented centrally and audio signals were presented between 0° and 31° audio-visual offset in azimuth. RT data were analyzed separately for the underlying Simon effect and attentional effects. In the case of the attentional effects, three models were identified but no single model could explain the observed RTs for all participants so data were grouped and analyzed accordingly. The results show that significant differences in RTs are measured from 5° to 10° onwards for the Simon effect. The attentional effect varied at the same audio-visual offset for two out of the three defined participant groups. In contrast with the prior research, these results suggest that, even for speech signals, small audio-visual offsets influence spatial integration subconsciously.

Comparison of Judgment Scales of the Analytical Hierarchy Process — A New Approach

The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) remains a popular multi-criteria decision method. One topic under discussion of AHP is the use of different scales to translate judgments into ratios. The author makes a new approach to compare different scale functions and to derive a recommendation for the application of scales. The approach is based on simple analytic functions and takes into consideration the number of criteria of the decision problem. A generalization of the so-called balanced scale is proposed, and a new adaptive-balanced scale is introduced. Scales are then categorized and compared based on weight boundaries and weight ratios, weight uncertainties, weight dispersion and number of decision criteria. Finally, a practical example of a decision hierarchy is presented applying the different scales. The results show that the generalized balanced scale improves weight dispersion and weight uncertainty in comparison to the fundamental AHP scale. The proposed adaptive-balanced scale overcomes the problem of a change of the maximum weight depending on the number of decision criteria.

Blending teaching strategies to improve nursing students’ clinical judgment abilities

Background: Nursing educators need to determine educational strategies that will enable nursing students to reach effective and timely clinical judgments. Aim: This study documents how a combination of the constructivist approaches of concept-based learning and concept mapping impacts nursing students’ clinical judgment skills.Methods: The study utilized a pretest post-test design to collect data from a convenient sample of all students who commenced adult health nursing courses at a private university in Jordan (N = 40). An observation of the performance aspects of clinical judgment of engagement, background, process, and representation utilizing a four-point Students Performance Aspects of Clinical Judgment Scale (SPACJS) was performed.Results: Except for the engagement aspect, all other aspects of clinical judgment showed significant improvements by the end of the courses. Moreover, overall clinical judgment ability significantly improved as the courses concluded.Conclusion: When the SPACJS and the constructivist approaches are respectively institutionalized as a clinical evaluation tool and as teaching strategies, students will receive specific feedback that will subsequently improve their engagement, background, process, and representation of future clinical judgment encounters. This feedback is relevant to specific concepts and cognitive maps will help students synthesize mental criteria against which future clinical encounters are reflected. As a result, students contextual clinical judgment maturity will be enhanced.

Detection of flood influence criteria in ungauged basins on a combined Delphi-AHP approach

The prediction of areas susceptible to floods is essential for the protection of the population living in vulnerable conditions. It is only possible when the main contributing factors are pointed out. It is very challenging for hydrologists to run models when the input data are not representative. Alternative methods, such as the multicriteria decision analysis, represent a good solution for the simulation of future scenarios. However, the criteria selection affects the accuracy of the further modelling process. The purpose of the current study was to select and attribute scores to all the feasible criteria that contribute to flood susceptibility in the coastal plains of the Juqueriquere river basin, Brazil. First, the Delphi method was employed in the expert-based survey. Then, the root square judgement scale was adapted to an extended Analytic Hierarchy Process approach for the final allocation of priority values. Even though the initially ranked scores were within a limited range, the proposed methodology could adequately redistribute these scores in the final scale from 1 to 10. The consistency and sensitivity analyses revealed that the findings were coherent, providing the weight vector of the achievable criteria that affect the flood likelihood in the study area.

Decisor: A Software Tool to Drive Complex Decisions with Analytic Hierarchy Process

Addressing consistent and reliable decision-making are crucial activities when choosing seemingly related alternatives for a set of criteria. Models and methods for aiding decisions such as analytic hierarchy process (AHP) were developed to handle quantified assessments of quality attributes, usually intangible and numerically hard to cope. We introduce the Decisor software tool to assist the use of AHP to drive complex decision modeling. We present a study of related tools describing advantages and drawbacks. The tool is user friendly, with intuitive data entry fields. Users may input alternatives and criteria, assigning weights from different judgment scales. Decisor’s main characteristic is its simple interface where the tool computes priority vectors for all alternatives and its consistency rates. It is also possible to operate with negative weighting, inferring Benefits, Opportunities, Costs, and Risks. The tool implements Group Decisions, using the geometric mean to combine criteria comparisons from selected stakeholders.

RESIDENTS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD THOSE WHO MISUSE DRUGS ON THREE ATTITUDINAL SCALES

ABSTRACT Objective: to examine patterns in attitudes toward drug users among residents in a community of Kingston, Jamaica. Method: cross-sectional study; sample size was 121 residents. Results: alcohol and marijuana showed a strong positive relationship on the personal contact attitudinal scale with r (119)=.53, p<.01. Respondents’ attitudes on the judgement scale for crack and cocaine were the strongest among all the drugs with r (119)=.84, p<.01, reflective of a very strong positive relationship. Equally important too, respondents’ attitudes on the social support scale toward those who misuse crack and cocaine were very strongly correlated with r (119)=.88, p<.01. Residents displayed positive attitudes toward those who misuse alcohol and marijuana. Conclusion: the majority of respondents were ambivalent toward those who misuse cocaine and crack. Negative attitudes were highest among residents toward those who misuse cocaine. This study found that the differences in mean between males and females attitudes on the personal contact scale for alcohol and marijuana were statistically significant at 0.05 level. Our findings may be used to inform further research and ultimately lead to policy interventions.

Implementation of an Online Software Tool for the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP-OS)

The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) remains a popular multi-criteria decision method. The author has implemented a free, web-based AHP online system with noteworthy features, allowing for the detailed analysis of decision problems. Besides standard functions, like flexible decision hierarchies, support to improve inconsistent judgments, and alternative evaluation and sensitivity analysis, the software can handle group input, calculate group consensus based on Shannon ? and ?-entropy and estimate weight uncertainties based on randomized small variations of input judgments. In addition, different AHP judgment scales can be applied a posteriori and alternative evaluation can be done using the weighted sum (WSM) or weighted product model (WPM). This flexibility opens up opportunities to study decision projects under various parameters. The author’s intention was to provide a complete and free software tool for educational and research purposes where calculations and algorithms are well documented and all input data and results can be exported in an open format for further processing or presentation. The article describes the basic concept and structure of the software and the underlying mathematical algorithms and methods. Challenges and practical experiences during the implementation, validation and productive phase of the software are highlighted.

Scale purification: state-of-the-art review and guidelines

PurposeThis paper aims to identify scale purification criteria for both uni- and multidimensional reflective scales and apply these criteria to an evaluation of the methodological status quo of the hospitality literature.Design/methodology/approachBased on a literature review, the authors develop a taxonomy of statistical and judgmental criteria across scale levels, from which best practices are derived. Recent publications in leading hospitality journals are then evaluated based on these scale purification steps.FindingsThe authors uncover a lack of transparency when reporting scale purification practices. Moreover, methodological steps are often entirely omitted or insufficiently followed, especially when it comes to judgmental scale purification practices.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors focus on reflective scales in the hospitality discipline. Methodological traditions in other fields might lead to different results if the chosen approach was to be repeated there.Practical implicationsThe authors provide a set of suggestions that will help researchers in hospitality and adjacent disciplines to greater consensus and consistency of application regarding the methodological steps when carrying out scale purification in reflective scales.Originality/valueApplication of scale purification in hospitality research has been scarce. The authors extend existing research and provide the most comprehensive study so far of present and best scale purification practices, using both statistical and judgmental criteria.