The Construction of a Check-List For Use as an Attitude Survey

Abstract

For the past few years, the writer has been professionally engaged in attitude survey work in industry. The principal technique used has been the written questionnaire composed of some questions with multiplechoice check responses and some open-end questions. Although this tool has been extremely useful, an eagerness to devise more effective techniques of attitude study prompted research into and applications of various methods introduced into the field. Guttman's scaling technique was applied to the conventional questionnaire. Responses were analysed by applying Wherry's method for factoring large numbers of items. Questions with faces for check responses instead of words, showing expressions from favorable to unfavorable, were tested. (See Appendix A) While these efforts were rewarded with considerable success, there were always questions which were not entirely answered. When the responses are listed on a gradient scale, how much "halo" effect is there in the employee's responses? In spite of guaranteed anonymity, to what extent do the employees answer the way they think they are expected to answer, rather than the way they really feel? How difficult is it for employees first to analyse their feelings, and then to express them adequately? The literature on current research in this field of attitude study makes it very clear that these are common uncertainties which have not as yet been resolved to everyone's satisfaction. With American industry today placing more and more stress on the human-relations approach to dealing with employees, there is little doubt of the importance of effective attitude techniques. With these considerations in mind, the writer offers this work in the hope it will contribute in some measure to the accuracy and usefulness of attitude surveys in industry. The writer wishes to acknowledge the invaluable consideration and assistance of his adviser, Father Charles Weisgerber, S.J., as well as Mr. L. N. Laseau whose sponsorship made this work possible. Sincere gratitude is also extended to Dr. Chester E. Evans for his technical assistance, to Mr. Fred W. Forrester for his kind and persistent encouragement, to my wife, Anne, who should be decorated for her gallantry as a "thesis-widow," and to many others too numerous to mention, whose unselfish help made this work possible.