What are construct, dimension, and indicators in constructing psychological test? Why do they matter? (Lecture slides mostly in English)

1. PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
CONSTRUCT, DIMENSION, & INDICATORS
SEMESTER GASAL 2015/2016
FAKULTAS PSIKOLOGI UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA
KULIAH III - 28 AGUSTUS 2015

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UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
Psychological test refers to
a device or procedure designed to
measure variables related to psychology
(for example, intelligence, personality, aptitude,
interests, attitudes, and values).
2
(Cohen & Swerdlik, 2009, p. 17)

3. FAKULTAS PSIKOLOGI
UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
3
Psychological tests and other tools of assessment
may differ with respect to a number of variables such as:
ICON SOURCES: Bauhaus by Hermine Blanquart, Collaborative Writing by factor[e] design initiative,
List Numbers by Thomas Helbig; from the Noun Project

4. FAKULTAS PSIKOLOGI
UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
the process of assigning
such evaluative codes or
statements to
performance on tests,
tasks, interviews, or other
behavior samples and
making interpretation
based on the scores
the form, plan, structure,
arrangement, and layout
of test items as well as to
related considerations
such as time limits
demonstration of various
kinds of tasks on the part
of the assessee as well as
trained observation of an
assessee’s performance
FORMAT ADMINISTRATION SCORING &
INTERPRETATION
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
3
(Cohen & Swerdlik, 2009, p. 17-18)
Psychological tests and other tools of assessment
may differ with respect to a number of variables such as:
ICON SOURCES: Bauhaus by Hermine Blanquart, Collaborative Writing by factor[e] design initiative,
List Numbers by Thomas Helbig; from the Noun Project

5. FAKULTAS PSIKOLOGI
UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
CONTENT
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
4
(Cohen & Swerdlik, 2009, p. 17-18)
Psychological tests and other tools of assessment
may differ with respect to a number of variables such as:
ICON SOURCE: Psychology by gilbert bages; from the Noun Project

6. FAKULTAS PSIKOLOGI
UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
PSYCHOLOGICAL TEST
5
(Cohen & Swerdlik, 2009, p. 17-18)
PSYCHOLOGICAL
CONSTRUCT
CONTENT
ICON SOURCE: Psychology by gilbert bages; from the Noun Project

7. FAKULTAS PSIKOLOGI
UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCT
(Psychological) Construct is an informed,
scientific concept developed or constructed
to describe or explain behavior.
We can’t see, hear, or touch constructs,
but we can infer their existence from ‘overt behavior’
(an observable action or the product of an observable
action, including test- or assessment-related responses).
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(Cohen & Swerdlik, 2009, p. 114)

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UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSTRUCT
The term psychological trait,
much like the term trait alone,
covers a wide range of possible characteristics.
[…] a trait is not expected to be manifested
in behavior 100% of the time.
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(Cohen & Swerdlik, 2009, p. 114)

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UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
STRUCTURE
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CONSTRUCT

10. FAKULTAS PSIKOLOGI
UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
STRUCTURE
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CONSTRUCT
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR

11. FAKULTAS PSIKOLOGI
UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
STRUCTURE
8
CONSTRUCT
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
DEFINITION

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UNIVERSITAS KATOLIK INDONESIA ATMA JAYA © 2015 Ardhiati PDU 303 PSIKOMETRIK
STRUCTURE
9
CONSTRUCT
DIMENSION
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
DIMENSION INDICATOR
INDICATOR
DIMENSION
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
DEFINITION

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CONSTRUCT & DEFINITION
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CONSTRUCT
DEFINITION
(Babbie, 2011, p. 138-139)

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CONSTRUCT & DEFINITION
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CONSTRUCT
DEFINITION
REAL
DEFINITION
NOMINAL
DEFINITION
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
…is not a stipulation
determining the meaning of
some expression but a
statement of the “essential
nature” or the “essential
attributes” of some entity.
…represent some
consensus, or convention,
about how a particular term
is to be used.
…specifies precisely how a
concept will be measured—
that is, the operations we
choose to perform.
(Babbie, 2011, p. 138-139)

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CONSTRUCT DEFINITIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING
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CONSTRUCT
DEFINITION
NOMINAL
DEFINITION
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
…represent some
consensus, or convention,
about how a particular term
is to be used.
…specifies precisely how a
concept will be measured—
that is, the operations we
choose to perform.
(Babbie, 2011, p. 138-139)

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CONSTRUCT IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
12
C2’
C1’
C3’
C4’
C2
C1
C3
C4
OBSERVABLE DATA,
NATURE
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION

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CONSTRUCT IN SOCIAL SCIENCES
12
(Torgerson, 1958)
C2’
C1’
C3’
C4’
C2
C1
C3
C4
C5
C6
OBSERVABLE DATA,
NATURE
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION
OPERATIONAL
DEFINITION

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DIMENSION & INDICATORS
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DIMENSION
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR

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DIMENSION & INDICATORS
13
DIMENSION
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
INDICATOR
An indicator is a sign
of the presence or
absence of the
concept we’re
studying.
A dimension is a
specifiable aspect of a
concept; grouping of
indicators.
(Babbie, 2011, p. 135-136)

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WANT TO KNOW MORE?
BABBIE, E. (2011). THE BASICS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH (5TH ED.). BELMONT, CA:
WADSWORTH, CENGAGE LEARNING.
COHEN, R.J. & SWERDLIK, M. (2009). PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING AND
ASSESSMENT: AN INTRODUCTION TO TESTS AND MEASUREMENT (7TH ED.).
BOSTON, MA: MCGRAW-HILL HIGHER EDUCATION.
CROCKER, L. & ALGINA, J. (2006). INTRODUCTION TO CLASSICAL AND
MODERN TEST THEORY. AUSTRALIA: WARDSWORTH CENGAGE LEARNING.