RATING SCALES

INTRODUCTION: Rating scales involves qualitative description of a limited number of aspects of a thing or of traits of a person. When we use rating scales we judge an object in absolute terms against some specified criteria, we judge properties of objects without reference to other similar objects. These ratings may be in such forms as like-dislike, above average, average , below average, or other classifications with more categories such as like very much, like some what neutral, dislike some what, dislike very much and so on, there is no specific rule whether to use a two point scale, three point scale or scale with still more points. In practice three to seven points scales are generally used for the simple reason that more points on a scale provide an opportunity for great sensitivity of measurements. Uses To utilize simultaneously number of observations on a respondent. Meaningful responses are logically arranged in the analysis of attitude and behavior.

Difficulties in scaling To assess directly the validity, it is not possible. Social phenomena are complex and qualitative in nature. No universal recognizing measures rod.

 The intangibility of social phenomena is an obstacle to scale construction. The social phenomena cannot be experimented in a controlled way. Thus the scale cannot measure all the causative variables involved.

Types of scales 1. Norminal scale It consists of two or more named categories into which objects, individuals, responses are classified. It is possible to distinguish two or more categories relating to the specified attribute e.g. classification of individuals according to the religion. 2. Ordinal scale The order of position will be measured. The number is assigned to indicate only the relative position. The ranks will be given to the individual along with the specified continuum. It does not measure the distance between the positions, e. g. X is regarded as more beautiful than Y; X is greater than Y. But he cannot say by how much. 3. Interval scale It has equal units of measurement. Thus it is possible to interpret not only the order of the scale scores, but also the distance between them. 4. Ratio scale One man compares both differences to score and the relative magnitude of score. It incorporates the properties of an interval scale together with a fixed origin or zero point. E. g. time, length and weight. Rating scale

Rating scale is an assessment of a person by another person. Rating scales resemble check list but are used when finer discriminations are used. Instead of merely indicating the presence or absence of a trait or a characteristic, it enables us to indicate the degree to which trait is present. Rating scales provide systematic procedure for obtaining recording and reporting the observers judgment. That may be filled out while the observation is made, immediately after the observation is made, or as often in the case, long after the observation.

Definition Rating scale is a term applied to expression of opinion or a judgment regarding some situation, object or character. Opinions are usually expressed on a scale of values-Barr and others. Rating techniques are devices by which judgments may be qualified. A rating scale is a device by which the opinion concerning a trait can be systematized. Rating scale record how much or how well it happened. Quantitative and qualitative terms will be used. Assuming numerical positions to individuals so that variation in degree may be ascertained. In preparing rating scale, the rates places the individual at a particular point along a continuum, a numerical value is attached to the point.

Types of rating scales i. Numerical rating scales ( specific rating scale, specific category scale/ itemized rating scale) The rates assign a code numbers and approximate number to each trait of the person being rated or to the descriptive phase. Arranged in order of the degree, level intensity or frequency with which they indicate possession or lack of occurrence of each trait. One example of such scale

that used in obtaining rating of the effective values of colors and odours is as follows: 10- Most pleasant imaginable 9- Most pleasant 8- Extremely pleasant 7- Moderately pleasant 6- Mildly pleasant 5- Indifferent 4- Mildly unpleasant 3- Moderately unpleasant 2- Extremely unpleasant 1- Most unpleasant 0 Most unpleasant imaginable In such type of scales, sometimes Zero is placed at the indifferent category and negative numbers below it.

ii.

Graphic rating scale As in the case of numerical rating scale, the rate is required to assign some value to a specific trait. This time however instead of using predetermined scale values, the ratings are made in the graphic form- a position anywhere along a continuum. Descriptive phases closely correspond to the numerical points on the scale printed horizontally at various points from lowest to highest. The rates indicate the performance, standing in respect to each trait by placing a check mark at an appropriate point along that line. Here the degree of each characteristic is arranged so that the rates can make as fine distinctions as he wishes to make.

Talkative an easy talker refrained from talking

talked when necessary

preferred listening

Descriptive rating scales The descriptive rating scale uses descriptive phrases to identify the points on a graphic scale. Provide for each trait a list of descriptive phases from which the rates select as the one most applicable item being rated, selected usually by means of a check mark.

Uses of rating scales To evaluate the skills, product outcomes, activities interest, attitude and personal characteristics. Advantage of rating scale Easy to administer and to score. Can be used for large group students. Wide range of application. Clarity of feedback to students. Disadvantages of rating scale Misuse can result in a consequent decrease in objectivity Desirable quantities of rating scale i. Clarity. Use short statements, in simple and unambiguous terminology.

ii.

Relevance. The cue should be consistent with the trait name and its definition as well as with other cues. Avoid bringing into a cue any implications of other traits.

iii.

Precision. A good cue applies to a point or a very short range on the continuum. There should be no doubt about it other cues and if possible it should not overlap them in quantitative meaning.

iv.

Variety. The use of the same terms in all or many of the cues may fail to differentiate them sufficiently. Vary the language used at different scale levels.

v. vi.

Objectivity. Cues with implications of good or bad, worthy or unworthy, desirable or undesirable should generally be avoided. Uniqueness. The cues for each trait should unique to that trait. Avoid using cues of a very general character, such as excellent, superior, average, poor and the like.

General Advantages of Rating Methods There are some advantages of rating methods when compared with the method of pair comparisons and method of rank order. Rating methods consume much less time than methods of pair comparisons and rank order. They are far more interesting to the raters, especially if graphic methods are used. Rating methods can be used with raters who have minimum of training. They evaluate personal social development. They can also be used by a student to rate himself. They tend to be very adaptable and flexible. They can be efficient and economical in the use of a teachers time. They can help to reduce the subjectivity and unreliability that are usually associated with observations method. They can be used with large numbers of stimuli.

 They have much wider range of application and can be used for teacherratings, personality ratings, school appraisal, sociological surveys, etc. Best ratings can be obtained by presenting one stimulus to a rater at a time. Principles of preparing rating scales It directly relates to learning objectives. Needs to be confined to performance areas that can be observed. Clarity defines the specific trait or mode of behavior. The trait or behavior should be readily observable. It should be observed in number of situations. Allow some space in the rating scale card for the rates to give supplementary remarks. 3-7 rating positions may need to be provided. There should be provision to omit. Items, teacher feels unqualified to judge. Pooled rating from more than one observes participation instrument, development well make the scale more objective, clear valid and reliable. The rates should be unbiased and trained. Consider evaluation setting, feedback and student participation. Have expert and well informed rates. Change the ends of the scale so that the good is not always at the top or always at the bottom. Assure the rates that his anonymity will be maintained. Limitations for rating scales

 It is difficult or dangerous to fix up a rating about many aspect of an individual. Halo effect in the judgment may take place. Changes like the rates may ever estimates the qualities of a known person and underestimate those of unknown person. The rates does not want to make extreme judgment chances of subjective evaluation, thus the scales may become and unscientific and unreliable. Bibliography 1. Neeraja K. P. nursing education, first edition, jaypee brothers ltd public, Newdelhi,2005. 2. Basavanthappa B. T., nursing education, 1st edition, jaypee brother publication, 2003. 3. Heidgerken E.L. teaching and learning in school of nursing principles and method, third edition, Newdelhi, Konark publishers, 2006 4. Shankaranarayanan B,sindhu B., learning and teaching nursing, brainfill public,

NITTE USHA INSTITUTE OF NURSING SCIENCES

PRESENTATION ON RATING SCALES

SUBMITTED TO; MRS. SABITHA NAYAK PROFESSOR OBG DEPARTMENT NUINS

SUBMITTED BY; JOSEPH K. J. 1 M.Sc. NURSING NUINS

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YEAR