1. Scales of measurement

a. Nominal scales – categories; Schachter’s anxiety and affiliation study

b. Ordinal scales – rank order of data; top ten psychologists

c. Interval scales – equal intervals between points on scale

d. Ratio scales – true zero

e. Comparison and contrast of types of scales – “at the Kentucky Derby”

2. Evaluating observational methods:
 

Several issues:

• the absence of control

• the possibilities of observer bias

• subject reactivity

• ethical dilemmas associated with the issues of invasion of privacy and informed consent