On the optimal number of scale points in graded paired comparisons

Beuckelaer, Alain De; Toonen, Stef; Davidov, Eldad

doi:10.1007/s11135-012-9695-2

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Compared to other survey methods, constant sum scale methods hold the advantage that the respondents are “forced” to make mindful scoring among categories since the total score is fixed, thus allowing the extent of discrimination among attributes to be analyzed statistically . Typically, the scale has odd-numbered points, for instance, 3, 5, 7, or 11. , Though more points can better capture the level of preferences and fine discrimination among categories, the observers may be burdened by mental computation if the number of categories is large, which then may cause fatigue and imprecision.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shapes of Hyperspectral Imaged Microplastics

Liu,

Rasmussen,

Klemmensen

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Shape matters for microplastics, but its definition, particularly for hyperspectral imaged microplastics, remains ambiguous and inexplicit, leading to incomparability across data. Hyperspectral imaging is a common approach for quantification, yet no unambiguous microplastic shape classification exists. We conducted an expert-based survey and proposed a set of clear and concise shapes (f iber, rod, ellipse, oval, sphere, quadrilateral, triangle, f ree-form, and unidentifiable). The categories were validated on images of 11,042 microplastics from four environmental compartments (seven matrices: indoor air; wastewater influent, effluent, and sludge; marine water; stormwater; and stormwater pond sediments), by inviting five experts to score each shape. We found that the proposed shapes were well defined, representative, and distinguishable to the human eye, especially for f iber and sphere. Ellipse, oval, and rod were though less distinguishable but dominated in all water and solid matrices. Indoor air held more unidentif iable, an abstract shape that appeared mostly for particles below 30 μm. This study highlights the need for assessing the recognizability of chosen shape categories prior to reporting data. Shapes with a clear and stringent definition would increase comparability and reproducibility across data and promote harmonization in microplastic research.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shapes of Hyperspectral Imaged Microplastics

Liu,

Rasmussen,

Klemmensen

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…seven-point scale rather than a five-point scale, providing numbers for every option on the scale (1 to 7), and not using negative numbers or color (De Beuckelaer et al, 2012;Toepoel and Dillman, 2012). Attribute data collected during the questionnaire included the occupation of respondents and the names of structures they were responsible for managing.…”

Section: Final Comments Openmentioning

confidence: 99%

Managing Marine Growth on Historic Maritime Structures: An Assessment of Perceptions and Current Management Practices

2022

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Maritime built heritage (e.g., historic harbors, breakwaters, etc.) is found widely along the coastlines of Europe. Due to its age and traditional construction, built heritage may represent important and largely unidentified hotspots of biodiversity in marine and coastal environments. At the same time, marine growth (e.g., seaweed, mussels, barnacles, etc.) found on these structures may provide both deteriorative and protective functions. To ensure future research focusing on the two-way interactions between marine growth and built heritage addresses the concerns of those responsible for their management, attitudes towards the colonization and growth of marine wildlife must first be evaluated. Such attitudes will shape how marine growth is managed at these sites, which in turn may influence biodiversity and built heritage conservation and any associated values. This study assesses how the growth of sessile species and other surface-colonizing organisms is currently perceived and managed by those responsible for maintaining maritime built heritage, with a particular focus on historic structures constructed of natural stone. Responses from a semi-quantitative online questionnaire of harbormasters, coastal engineers, environmental officers, and heritage managers from around the UK (n = 132) were analyzed alongside a series of semi-structured interviews (n = 29). Our results demonstrate that attitudes towards marine growth are generally in agreement among practitioners irrespective of their occupation or the historic maritime structures they are responsible for managing. Perceptions of marine growth are mostly positive, but concerns exist regarding its impacts on maintenance regimes, the condition of mortar, and health and safety. As well as highlighting opportunities for a more integrated approach to biodiversity and built heritage conservation, the concerns identified require further research attention to help address potential barriers and conflicts that may arise in practice.

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“…It helps to reveal the optimal number of response categories that could be used to gauge the behaviour of interest. It is now clear that the number of response categories is related to important scale qualities and statistical outcomes (Alwin, 1997; Beuckelaer, Toonen, & Davidov, 2013; Dawes, 2008; Lozano, Garcia-Cueto, & Muñiz, 2008; Maydeu-Olivares, Kramp, García-Forero, Gallardo-Pujol, & Coffman, 2009; Revilla, Saris, & Krosnick, 2014), such as reliability (Preston & Colman, 2000; Weng, 2004). Furthermore, groups have been shown to differ on scale outcomes as a result of the number of response categories (Hui & Triandis, 1989; Weijters et al, 2010), and except for when such group differences are ruled out, it may be difficult to conclude that established group differences reflect actual differences on the construct of interest (Weijters et al, 2010).…”

Section: A Historical Perspective On the Development Of The I-panas-sfmentioning

confidence: 99%

The validation of the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule – Short Form in Nigeria

Agbo

2016

South African Journal of Psychology

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The present study examined the competing factor structures, validity, and reliability of the state and trait versions of the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule – Short Form and the effect of the number of response categories on the scale qualities among Nigerians. Undergraduates (N-1510) completed a trait version of the scale with 5-point and 7-point response formats and a state version with a 7-point response format. Confirmatory factor analysis was employed alongside other techniques to gauge the psychometric properties of the scale. The obtained factor structures for the trait and state versions were in line with the theoretical assumptions of the scale and previous findings. A correlated two-factor model provided the best fit for the trait version, while an orthogonal two-factor model provided the best fit for the state version. The scale performed well with the 7-point response format, but it performed poorly with the 5-point response format, suggesting that the behaviour of the scale depends on the number of response categories. The findings, limitations of the study, and suggestions for further studies are discussed.

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On the optimal number of scale points in graded paired comparisons

Cited by 10 publications

References 26 publications

Shapes of Hyperspectral Imaged Microplastics

Shapes of Hyperspectral Imaged Microplastics

Managing Marine Growth on Historic Maritime Structures: An Assessment of Perceptions and Current Management Practices

The validation of the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule – Short Form in Nigeria

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