Single-item graphic representational scales
1U.S. Army Nurse Corps, Nursing Research Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. patricia.patrician@na.aedd.army.mil
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."
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