How to deal with questionnaire, where 40 questions that represent 8 independent constructs use 5-point Likert's scales and another 5 questions that represent dependent variable use 6-points Likert's scales? Do i need to standardize these last 5 questions so, they measurement scale will change to 5 – points Likert's scale? Thanks!
Clarification:
Dear All, many thanks for your guidance!
The ultimate goal of this quantitative research is to test the hypotheses: to explore if chosen IVs positively correlated with DV. There are will be a few steps as follows:
- Pilot study: I just collected some 50 responses to my questionnaire and I would like to perform some reliability analysis:
a. Cronbach alpha;
b. Convergent and Discriminant Validity tests;
c. If it will be necessary – eliminate or replace some questions. - Distribute questionnaire to target sample and collect the data.
- Analyze data:
a. Repeat p. 1 + Deliberation of Goodness-of-Fit (GOF) criteria indices to evaluate overall model fit for CFA and SEM + Performing internal consistency and CFA tests;
b. Structural Model Assessment and Hypotheses Testing:
i. Obtaining the critical ratio (C.R./t-value): divide the regression weight estimate by the estimate of its standard error (S.E).
ii. Examining paths using path estimates and CR values
iii. Pearson Correlation Coefficient (r) measures the strength of relationships between independent variables and the dependent variable
This would be the plan.
The English version of the questionnaire is available from under the link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1RPhHYXDApnnybFj1v-Il0C2N_OMs6LU9iU5MXviV5JA/viewform?c=0&w=1
With this regards, my first question will be: when we do Cronbach alpha test – do all constructs need to have the same measurement scale? Since most of the questions (40) use 5 –point Likert scale I assume, that other 5 questions (with 6 and 7-point Likert scales) also need to be transformed (standardized) into 5-poin Likert scale. Or maybe better to find Cronbach alpha separately for 40 questions that measure 8 different IV constructs and then, for 5 questions that measure DV with different measurement scales?
Thanks!
Best Answer
Going just based on what you wrote, you do not need to rescale anything. I assume within each of your 8 scales, all of the items have the same response scale. Otherwise the value for your construct would be weighted more heavily by certain questions. Different response scales between your different construct scales and between your DVs isn't a problem at all. People regress response variables on criterion variables of different scales all the time; in fact it is the default for most people.
However, as StevenP stated, the answer may be different if you have specific analysis goals. But if you are wondering if your constructs significantly predict some DVs, then the F and p values will be the same standardized or not.