Measure what?

Using what What is the What possible What is Does the tool If not, what does What is the
tool? variable values can the the unit measure the it measures? category of the
measured? variable take? of the variable directly? variable?
quantity
you
measure?
Your mass (weight) balance mass 30-120 kg yes
intelligence IQ test intelligence Genius, very No units no IQ score
intelligent,
intelligent,
average, not
intelligent
The transportation means
used by TEDU students to
come to school
Your height
The temperature in TEDU
over a month
The social desirability
level of the population
sample in the Batman
study
The achievement of
learning objectives in the
LIBE 120 course
The average number of
people living in a house in
the Cebeci area
Whether TEDU’s students
are happy with the new
food company
 Measuring the capacity of your working memory
You will use this activity to measure the capacity of the working memory. Work in pairs. Tell your [partner a 2-digit number and ask him/her to
recall it in reverse order, make it 3-digit number, then 4-digit number and so on. Put a tick in the respective column whenever the recall is
right. Continue until he/she recalls it wrong. The largest number of digits he/she can recall right is a measure of the capacity of his/her
working memory. Now, exchange roles and repeat the test, this time you will be recalling. Fill in the second table. Compare the capacities of
your working memories.
Test taker’s name:
Number 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score of the test
of digits taker
Y or N

Test Taker’s name:

Number 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Score of the test

of digits taker
Y or N

Questions:
1. How would you describe the variable “Capacity of the Working Memory” of a person? Is it a categorical or numerical variable?
2. Are you really measuring the ““Capacity of the Working Memory” or some related quantity? ( recall the intelligence and IQ example
3. Discuss how you can assess the validity and reliability of your results.