A study of item weights and scale lengths for the SVIB

Abstract

7 SVIB scales were developed and cross validated on 461 managers from 13 varied Minnesota companies. Questions studied were (a) Which item weighting method results in the highest scale validity? (b) Are shorter scales as valid as longer scales? (c) How much may scales be shortened? (d) Why may they be shortened? Controls for scale length, content, validity, and for item weighting method were introduced. Results indicated (a) there was no practical difference in validities between simple unit versus variably weighted scales, (b) shorter scales were as valid as longer scales, (c) Clark's "40 to 60 item optimum scale length" hypothesis was supported, (d) although not conclusive, shorter scales appeared superior partly because their average item validities were greater and thus they perhaps should not be used where developmental item pools are rich in valid items. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)