Holt, G D (1997) Construction research questionnaires and attitude measurement: Relative index or mean? Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(2), pp. 88-96. ISSN 1358-9180
Abstract
The relative index (RI) technique, is used extensively in construction research for analysing structured questionnaire survey response data. That is, RI is frequently employed as a methodology for the measured attitude, in particular, with respect to variables impacting upon construction management issues. This short note describes the characteristics of RI and highlights caveats and limitations governing its use. Using hypothetical data, the paper compares the RI methodology with commensurate observations on 'mean response'. It is concluded that the nature of the Likert scale used within the questionnaire will directly impact the output of the RI analysis in several ways. Further, that should ordinal sorting of variables (based on sample attitude) be the only research requirement, then the more simple measure of mean response will achieve the same results as RI.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | attitude measurement, questionnaire design, ranking, research method |
| Index terms: | management issue, survey, questionnaire, Likert scale, methodology |
| Subjects: | research methods, management, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Business Strategy |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 CTEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here