Suchergebnisse

"Items with ordered response categories are common in survey research, such as when respondents are asked how much they agree with certain statements (1=strongly agree to 5=strongly disagree). But how large are the differences between categories of response, and how well do they distinguish between respondents? This volume is the first to introduce the evaluation of rating scales to an audience of survey researchers. Evaluating Rating Scale Functioning for Survey Research provides researchers with an overview of rating scale analysis along with practical guidance on how to conduct such analyses with their own survey data. Author Stefanie A. Wind presents three categories of methods: Rasch models; non-Rasch Item Response Theory (IRT) models; and non-parametric models, together with practical examples. Tutorials, datasets, and software code (R and Facets) to accompany the book are available on the book's website"--

Purpose Although researchers have examined empathy among many populations worldwide, investigations of empathy among Farsi-speakers are limited. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) for Farsi-speakers (IRI-Farsi). Methods After translating, we explored psychometric properties of the IRI-Farsi with exploratory factor analysis and item response theory using a sample of Iranians ( N = 517). Results The IRI-Farsi appeared to exhibit a four-factor structure and acceptable item properties within each subscale. Moreover, the IRI-Farsi rating scale categories were generally ordered and distinct with emotion-triggering items as easier to endorse compared to more complex cognitively aroused statements. Conclusions Results support using the IRI to measure dispositional empathy in mainland Iran. Social work researchers can use these results to inform research and practice related to empathy in this population and design more effective interventions to increase awareness of empathic feelings and understanding for practitioners and clients.

The purpose of this case study was to evaluate the response in heart rate variability via the parasympathetically-mediated metric of the log-transformed root mean square of successive R-R interval differences (lnRMSSD) to weekly variations in total volume-load (TVL) during an 18-week periodized strength training program in a competitive collegiate hockey athlete. The program consisted of three 60–90 min full-body exercise sessions per week with at least 24-h of rest between each session. Daily lnRMSSD measurements were taken immediately after waking using a validated smartphone application and the pulse-wave finger sensor. The weekly lnRMSSD values were calculated as the mean (lnRMSSDMEAN) and the coefficient of variation (lnRMSSDCV). A Pearson's bivariate correlation of lnRMSSDMEAN and TVL revealed no statistically significant correlation between the two variables; TVL (r = −0.105, p = 0.678). However, significant correlations were found between lnRMSSDCV and both total load (TL) (r = −0.591, p = 0.013) and total volume (TV) (r = 0.765, p < 0.001). Additionally, weekly ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) mean values were statistically significantly correlated to TVL, r = 0.853, p < 0.001. It was concluded that lnRMSSDCV increased or decreased proportionally to an increase or decrease in TVL during the periodized resistance training program with TV being the strongest, independent indicator of these changes.