Health Measurement Scales: A Practical Guide to Their Development and Use, 5th Edition

ISBN: 9780199685219
ISBN-10: 0199685215
Copyright: 2015
Edition: 5th
Author: Streiner, David L., Norman, Geoffrey R., Cairney, John,
Doody's Expert Review    Score: 96
Reviewer: Michalene King,  PhD, RN, CNE  (Robert Morris University)
Description
This book is described as a guide to developing and validating measurement instruments. The previous edition was published in 2008.
Purpose
The intent is to introduce researchers in health sciences to concepts of measurement. This is a worthy objective, which the book meets.
Audience
The audience is students and clinicians in the health sciences. The authors feel it is appropriate for persons using surveys, questionnaires, or any kind of subjective measurement. This edition adds a third author. All the authors are credible authorities.
Features
The book begins with an introduction and a description of basic concepts of measurement. Chapters describe the process of developing measurement instruments and cover validity, reliability, and generalizability. The book concludes with chapters on administration, reporting of results, and ethical considerations. Appendix A, "Where to Find Tests," contains a wealth of information about available instruments.
Assessment
This is comparable to most research books, with similar content. It contains many statistical calculations to better explain the information presented. The authors justify this update by explaining that the changes are based on readers' comments on the previous edition. Similarly, the authors encourage readers of this edition to submit suggestions and feedback.
Review Questionnaire
Range Question Score
1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10
1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10
1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5
1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 5
1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5
1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. N/A
1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. N/A
1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5
1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 5
1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 5
1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 4
1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A
1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 10
1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 8