Final answer:
Measurement is the process of assigning numerical values to subjective or abstract concepts, and it's vital for research tools to be both valid and reliable. Researchers use operational definitions to standardize measurements and must understand data scales for appropriate statistical analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Measurement
is the process of assigning numerical values or properties to subjective or abstract concepts. When it comes to
research
in various fields, such as sociology, ensuring that measurements are
valid
and
reliable
is crucial. Validity involves how well the study measures what it was designed to measure, ensuring the research tool accurately reflects the theoretical concept. On the other hand, reliability pertains to whether the measurement provides consistent results over repeated trials. Researchers must use operational definitions to objectify and standardize the measurement of concepts to achieve both reliability and validity. Additionally, the type of data and its scale—nominal, ordinal, interval, or ratio—determines the appropriate
statistical procedures
to be used.