How to Develop an Algorithm in Order to Choose the Appropriate Measurement Instrument

Jasna Horvat and Nataša Šarlija

The purpose of this paper is to create an algorithm for the construction of quality measurement instruments. The algorithm contains: the measurement instruments base, scale base, and the base of quality criteria for the survey.

In order to use the suggested algorithm, the researcher should first establish the general field of his/her research, then choose the specific branch in the field, then sub-branch and finally the phenomenon in the chosen sub-branch. Then, (s)he should select the appropriate measurement instrument, which (s)he would be free to modify. The researcher could browse through scientific fields, branches and sub-branches, and select from different measurement instruments suitable for the phenomenon, in such a way that (s)he could not only select from predefined sets of measurement instruments, but also create new ones. Every intervention would lead to new testing of measurement instruments in order to ensure stability of the given instrument characteristics.

The ability to rebuild the existing databases, their selectivity, their ability to interchange among themselves and to be tested, are the foundation for the process of building the measurement instruments and scale bases. In order to rebuild the quality criteria base, the process of permanent monitoring and implementation of new theoretical achievements is essential, as is the ability to define new criteria and redefine the existing ones.

The suggested algorithm gives the researcher the ability to select the measurement instrument from the existing bases, or to create a new one. The precondition for using the measurement instrument is running a pilot survey and correcting it with the help of the algorithm, according to the information contained in the knowledge base of quality criteria for the measurement instrument. To bring the suggested algorithm to life, and to get it to regulate itself, the system should be placed on the Internet, and the researchers should be encouraged to start using it.