Question

Q3: Measures of variables Give your comments on the reliability and validity of measures of the variables. Q4: Collection of data on social demographics The purpose of this research is to find the associations between quantitative and qualitative job insecurity and well-being. However, data on variables such as gender, age, education level, extra income were also collected. What is the purpose of collecting data on variables such as gender, age, educational level etc.? Q5: Research design What research design is used for current research? What are the positive and negative side of the current research design?

Answer 1

A.3) Variables are not estimated at one specific level. It depends on the type of indicators and a single variable can be measured in numerous ways.

In order for estimates to be sound, they must be independent of bias and distortion. Reliability and validity are both the concepts that are necessary for establishing and estimating bias and distortion.

Reliability refers to the degree to which estimates are consistent. If you weigh five pounds of vegetables in the day, and the scale is reliable, the same system should register five pounds for the vegetables an hour later.

Another measure of reliability is the inherent consistency of the items. For example, a quiz to measure pupils’ ability to solve equations, one should be able to understand that if a student gets an item right, he or she will also make other, similar items right. Three common reliability measures are:

Validity refers to the correctness of an evaluation. Even if a test is positive, it may not provide a true measure. Let’s think a bathroom scale that consistently shows that you weigh 110 pounds. The reliability (consistency) of this system is good, but it not accurate (valid) as you actually weigh 125 pounds.

A.4) Data on variables such as gender, age, education level, extra income were also collected because they form the part of independent variables that impact dependent variable, which is well-being. Some of these variables may be called as extraneous variables that impact the dependent variables. Sometimes there are variable among extraneous variables from the part of 'experimental error'.

A.5) The role of a research design is to assure that the data obtained allows you to completely address the research problem rationally and as unambiguously as reasonable. The research design used here is correlational. It is used advantageously when one draws conclusions from one sample to a population where the independent variables are not under the influence of the researcher because of ethical interests or logistical limitations.