By Haidah Halid
GOMBAK, 10 November 2020: A workshop designed to provide participants with hands-on training on how to conduct research using the ‘Concept of Mixed-Mode and Mixed Device was held during the “WAPOR Asia Kuala Lumpur 2020” virtual conference yesterday.
The workshop which ran for three hours was split into two sessions. The session, followed with a presentation titled ˜Moving Closer to Crystallising Survey Instrument: Using Ecologically Valid and Psychometrically Sound Questionnaire, was given by Prof. Dr. Mohamad Sahari Nordin, an expert on statistics from IIUM.
In the primary session, Prof. Dr. Sahari presented on how to crystallise survey instruments by using assessments of validity and reliability tests using factor analysis and Rasch measurement.
Prof. Dr. Sahari stressed on how critical the validity of an instrument is when conducting a research as it showcases the strength of a collection of different types of evidence. In ensuring validity of a certain instrument, one can carry out the process of factor analysis according to a Rasch Measurement.
However, in his presentation, Prof. Dr. Sahari mentioned that assessing the validity of research œsounds easy but it is quite challenging. His advice was œlook for existing instruments to ensure that the process of validation doesnt take very long or ˜kill a person with how extensive the process may be.
Furthermore, Prof. Dr. Sahari also mentioned that the concept of ˜validity is not dichotomous, rather that it is to be positioned on a continuum of strengths of evidence.
In order for the participants to fully understand his teachings, Prof. Dr. Sahari had asked the students to let him know about their research titles. He had used this knowledge to fully apply the methods that were taught by him in the session, which provided the participants with a more clear understanding of the knowledge.
The session was moderated by IIUMs Communication lecturer, Dr. Wan Norshira Wan Mohd Ghazali. ***