Use Of Likert Scale Research Articles

A Sociological View on Marital Satisfaction: Measuring Capabilities

This article is devoted to demonstrating the capabilities of sociology in the measuring of certain aspects of family life. The study of different aspects of human activity has always been the subject of heated debates across various sciences. Sociology is not an exception. Most often, social scientists study human activity in order to predict social behavior and to build models of these processes. Also, the development of incentive programs which stimulate the growth or the decline of certain indicators in a proper manner has gained popularity in recent times. In the spotlight of this article is mating behavior as one form of human activity, using the concept of marital satisfaction as an empirical referent. The author considers marital satisfaction as a fundamental component of the family-complex study, and proposes to examine the basic sociological methods that are used to investigate this area. For a better understanding of mating behavior, the author touches upon the problems of attitude-measuring in the use of Likert scale, demonstrates ideas of the R.Udry sociological test, describesthe Whitfield’s R. «altruistic pyramid», illustratesthe scale of love and sympathy, developed by Zeke Rubin, and the Soviet researchers of family as a social institution are also mentioned in this article. Scientific and technological progress also helps in the development of measurement techniques. This kind of measuring procedure is also represented in this article. The idea of ​​developing Data Mining is positioned by the author as a major step in the development of analysis without subjectivity. The conclusion to this article highlights the importance of using multiple methods for a representative study.

Outpatient satisfaction and quality of health care in North Indian medical institute

Outpatient departments (OPDs) need to monitor the quality of care and patient satisfaction for continuous quality improvement. Additionally, there is a need for an increase in focused literature on patient satisfaction and quality of health care at a tertiary care level. The purpose of this paper is to attempt to fulfil this need. A cross-sectional hospital-based study among OPD patients was undertaken, where investigators conducted interviews with 120 patients at entry (registration), 120 patients at the OPD clinic (60 doctor-patient interactions and 60 exit interviews), and a further 120 patients at investigation facilities. Patient satisfaction, client convenience facilities, prescription quality, doctor-patient interaction and other quality elements as described in the study were given score of 0 or 1. At exit, 52 (86.6 percent) patients were satisfied with the OPD care. The mean total quality score was 80.9 percent of the total scores. It was above 90 percent of the total score for patient convenience facilities and for doctor-patient interaction, 76 percent for the prescription quality of the doctors and 43.3 percent for signage display. The mean score for patient-doctor interaction was found to be significantly lower (3.6/5) among dissatisfied patients compared to the satisfied patients (4.7/5). Satisfied patients reported a significantly higher consultation time (12.4 minutes) with a doctor compared to dissatisfied patients (8.5 minutes) (p = 0.04). Not using a Likert scale to measure patient satisfaction could be considered a limitation However, the authors also arrived at similar conclusions with their tools as with the use of Likert scales in other studies. Furthermore, findings are limited to medicine and surgery general OPDs in a tertiary care setting. Any interpretation beyond this frame may be done with caution. Hospitals should encourage good patient-doctor interaction as it has emerged as the key factor associated with patient satisfaction. Quality improvements in public sector health institutes can lead to better utilization of health care by the poor and compromised sections of society and can lead to a reduction in the inequity associated with health care. This paper fulfils the need to evaluate quality of hospital care in public sector hospitals at the tertiary care level. The methods and tools used are simple and extensive enough to capture information at multiple service points.

Satisfaction determinants in the Greek online shopping context

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to validate empirically the impact of seven literature‐based constructs on customer satisfaction using a sample from the Greek online shopping context.Design/methodology/approachThe authors test a set of hypotheses about the influence that the constructs have on overall satisfaction. Also tested are a set of hypotheses about the satisfaction influence on post‐purchase behaviour.FindingsThe paper argues that product information quality and user interface quality have a significant impact on overall satisfaction, while service information quality, purchasing process, security perception and product attractiveness have only a positive impact. In addition, the findings reveal that customer satisfaction strongly affects post‐purchase behaviour.Research limitations/implicationsThe limited Greek respondent “tank” in combination with low internet and technology infusion in Greece, as well as the limited online market in Greece, are the study's main limitations. Common method bias through the use of Likert scales is also considered an important limitation.Practical implicationsThe findings indicate some important determinants of customer satisfaction and present a satisfaction index, the score of which is a valid and objective measurement of e‐commerce success.Originality/valueThis paper offers e‐commerce practitioners an objective standard to measure quantitatively the success of a web store as well as a wide frame of reference for researchers to extend e‐commerce research.

The role of simulation in nurse education

This descriptive survey evaluates the role of medium to high fidelity simulation in the preparation for clinical nursing practice, from the perception of third year undergraduate students. A questionnaire was distributed to 153 Adult Branch undergraduate nursing students from one Higher Education Institution. Quantitative data was collected through use of Likert scales, whilst a comment box permitted the compilation of qualitative remarks. A 60% (n=93) response rate was achieved. Findings indicate that simulation using high fidelity simulators is perceived to be a valuable method of learning, which should positively impact on the clinical effectiveness of nursing students approaching the transition to registered nurses. Furthermore participants believed that their experience with high fidelity simulators enhanced the safety of their practice. This study has strengthened the case for using high fidelity simulators as a means of assisting linkage of theory to practice. Whilst there are limitations to the realism of high fidelity simulators, the majority of subjects considered simulation an authentic learning experience. New knowledge from this research suggests that high fidelity simulators may contribute significantly to the preparation for nursing students' final key stage management assessment prior to entry to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) register. Although engagement with the high fidelity simulators can be anxiety provoking, this may precede perceived augmentation of learning, skill and confidence.

Polychoric versus Pearson correlations in exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis of ordinal variables

Given that the use of Likert scales is increasingly common in the field of social research it is necessary to determine which methodology is the most suitable for analysing the data obtained; although, given the categorization of these scales, the results should be treated as ordinal data it is often the case that they are analysed using techniques designed for cardinal measures. One of the most widely used techniques for studying the construct validity of data is factor analysis, whether exploratory or confirmatory, and this method uses correlation matrices (generally Pearson) to obtain factor solutions. In this context, and by means of simulation studies, we aim to illustrate the advantages of using polychoric rather than Pearson correlations, taking into account that the latter require quantitative variables measured in intervals, and that the relationship between these variables has to be monotonic. The results show that the solutions obtained using polychoric correlations provide a more accurate reproduction of the measurement model used to generate the data.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of a mental health battery in an African setting.

Standardised measuring instruments are increasingly used in psychiatric research cross-culturally. These instruments are considered to be culturally equivalent when all forms of biases, or social norms specific to the culture of origin, have been removed. To describe the qualitative process of selection, translation and cultural adaptation of a mental health battery for use in a Xhosa-speaking community that is, as far as possible, 'culture-free' or equivalent. Informal discussions were held with key members in the community to determine what would be considered as appropriate for the community in respect of psychiatric screening instruments. Existing rating-scales for depression, alcohol abuse and posttraumatic stress disorder that would meet these criteria were identified and then translated from English into Xhosa. Cultural equivalence was achieved by combining methods of back-translation, committee consensus approach and decentering. Discussions during the committee consensus meetings were recorded and categorized into themes. Two themes emerged: (1) issues related to the attainment of semantic equivalence and (2) broader problems inherent in cross-cultural research. Issues related to individual questionnaires included the use of terms to describe emotional distress cross-culturally. Broader issues related to the translation process itself included the form of language to be used, time-frames, and the use of Likert-scales. It also demonstrated the problems inherent in the categorization of emotions. A method of combining a group approach, back-translation, and decentering was effective and efficient in this context for establishing content and semantic equivalence. Cross-cultural adaptation can never completely remove all forms of bias from a research instrument, but such limitations should be acknowledged and openly discussed, rather than hidden or ignored.

Clinical Science (36)

A follow‐up study of 14 young adults with complex regional pain syndrome type I. (Hospital Morvan, Brest, France) J Neurosci Nurs. 2000;32:83–88.This study evaluated the symptom experience and functional status of 27 young adults with reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, now known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I. All were originally diagnosed and studied 12 years ago. Only 15 subjects could be located; 14 participated in the research. A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. A tool was designed to gather data about daily living variables, psychological variables, and symptom variables. Although many questions required the use of Likert scales, there were some open‐ended questions to capture the qualitative descriptions of the participant's symptom experiences. Findings contribute to the clinical literature about CRPS and its effect on clients over time. Comment by Mauricio Orbegozo, MD.This paper is a follow‐up interview on 14 patients diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I more than a decade ago. The author created a tool with the purpose of gathering data in 3 different aspects such as: current activity levels, psychosocial assessment, and symptom experiences. This data were gathered in a questionnaire form. The first 2 sections (current acting levels and psychosocial assessment) are questions to be answered on a 4‐point Likert scale and the last part (symptom experiences) is an open‐ended question section where the subject can answer in a more descriptive manner. What is particular about the population of patients in this study is the fact that all were diagnosed at an early age (childhood or as young adults). This yielded an interesting set of results. As far as current activity levels, more that two‐thirds of the patients were able to perform basic daily living activities and at least 50% of them can perform more strenuous activities such as running, climbing stairs, and driving a car. The results above extrapolate well into the psychosocial assessment where greater than 90% considered themselves self‐sufficient. Of interest was the fact that there was no depression or overwhelming psychiatric morbidity reported. This could be because at a younger age of onset for CRPS type I, more effective coping skills can be developed that would aid these patients in adaptation to daily life. It is not surprising that in symptom experience the most common was continuing pain, followed by limitations in range of motion. In summation, this study sheds light into an aspect that has not been researched in an extensive manner, which is a long‐term follow‐up of patients suffering from CRPS type I and how they adapted to daily life. Although conclusions reflect valid facts, the sample size is small and larger population including patients who develop CRPS type I at later stages in life may provide us with crucial information in a general set of patients.

A follow-up study of 14 young adults with complex regional pain syndrome type I.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the present symptom experience and functional status of 27 young adults with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome, now known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) type I. All were originally diagnosed and studied more than 12 years ago. Only 15 subjects could be located; 14 participated in this research. A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized. A tool was designed to gather data about daily living variables, psychosocial variables, and symptom variables. Although many questions required the use of Likert scales, there were some open-ended questions to capture the qualitative descriptions of the participants' symptom experiences. Findings contribute to the clinical literature about CRPS and its effects on clients over time.