SEMANTIC STRUCTURE ANALYSIS AMONG QUESTIONNAIRE ITEMS USING A RATING SCALE METHOD

Abstract

In order to analyze the result of a questionnaire using a rating scale method, it is important to clarify relational structure among questionnaire items. This paper presents a Semantic Structure Analysis method, called an SS Analysis. First, the author introduces an item odering coefficient between two items and shows fundamental properties on item relationships, such as ordering and equivalence. Next, a construction method of a synthesized item relational structure, called an SS digraph is presented, and its characteristics, such as hierachical struturing on ordering are discussed. An example of the SS digraph and effectiveness of this SS analysis are shown from apractical view point. Last, the relationship between SS analysis and Ordering Theory by Airasian & Bart(1973)is discussed. It is shown that SS analysis method is a generalization form of Ordering Theory.