Patricia A Patrician1. 1. U.S. Army Nurse Corps, Nursing Research Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. patricia.patrician@na.aedd.army.mil
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Single-item measures of constructs are parsimonious alternatives to multiple-item measures in many types of research. Before selecting a particular instrument, researchers must first determine whether to use a multi-item or single-item instrument to measure the concept to be evaluated. Currently, single-item measures are widely used for both pain and job satisfaction research. OBJECTIVE: To review theoretical and empirical studies of single-item measures, with an emphasis on graphic representational (faces) scales. METHODS: In this review, theoretical considerations, reliability, validity issues, and comparisons between single- and multiple-item measures are discussed. Faces scales are emphasized as an economical method for assessing such affective responses as pain and job satisfaction. RESULTS: Single-item measures in general, and faces scales in particular, can be valid and reliable measures for global concepts. CONCLUSIONS: Because of their ease of administration, lessened respondent burden, and global concept representation, single-item measures have great potential for various types of research. Nurse researchers should seriously consider single-item measures as part of their methodological research "toolkit."
BACKGROUND: Single-item measures of constructs are parsimonious alternatives to multiple-item measures in many types of research. Before selecting a particular instrument, researchers must first determine whether to use a multi-item or single-item instrument to measure the concept to be evaluated. Currently, single-item measures are widely used for both pain and job satisfaction research. OBJECTIVE: To review theoretical and empirical studies of single-item measures, with an emphasis on graphic representational (faces) scales. METHODS: In this review, theoretical considerations, reliability, validity issues, and comparisons between single- and multiple-item measures are discussed. Faces scales are emphasized as an economical method for assessing such affective responses as pain and job satisfaction. RESULTS: Single-item measures in general, and faces scales in particular, can be valid and reliable measures for global concepts. CONCLUSIONS: Because of their ease of administration, lessened respondent burden, and global concept representation, single-item measures have great potential for various types of research. Nurse researchers should seriously consider single-item measures as part of their methodological research "toolkit."
Authors: Kate E Fothergill; Margaret E Ensminger; Judy Robertson; Kerry M Green; Roland J Thorpe; Hee-Soon Juon Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2010-11-18 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Tanekkia M Taylor-Clark; Pauline A Swiger; Colleen V Anusiewicz; Lori A Loan; Danielle M Olds; Sara T Breckenridge-Sproat; Dheeraj Raju; Patricia A Patrician Journal: J Nurs Adm Date: 2022-02-01 Impact factor: 1.737