Short Dogmatism Scale – Schulze [SDSS-10] | DatAnalysis

Description

The Short Dogmatism Scale (SDSS-10) is a psychometric tool developed by Schulze to measure the level of dogmatism in individuals. Dogmatism refers to a rigid belief system where individuals are resistant to changing their views and are closed off to new information that contradicts their existing beliefs. The SDSS-10 is a shortened version of the original dogmatism scale, designed to provide a quick and efficient assessment of dogmatic tendencies.

Analysis and Use of Data

The SDSS-10 consists of 10 items that respondents rate on a Likert scale, typically ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree). These items are designed to assess an individual’s openness to new ideas, flexibility in thinking, and willingness to consider different viewpoints. The scale is unidimensional, meaning that all items contribute to a single dogmatism score.

Data Collection

When using the SDSS-10, data are collected from participants who are asked to respond to each item on the scale. The responses are then aggregated to produce a total score, which reflects the individual’s level of dogmatism. Higher scores indicate higher levels of dogmatism, while lower scores suggest a more open and flexible mindset.

Data Analysis

The analysis of SDSS-10 data typically involves calculating descriptive statistics such as mean, median, and standard deviation to understand the overall distribution of dogmatism scores within a sample. Inferential statistical methods, such as t-tests or ANOVA, can be employed to explore differences in dogmatism across various groups (e.g., by age, gender, education level). Additionally, factor analysis may be used to confirm the unidimensionality of the scale.

Reliability analysis, such as Cronbach’s alpha, is often conducted to ensure the internal consistency of the scale. A Cronbach’s alpha value of 0.7 or above is generally considered acceptable, indicating that the items on the scale reliably measure the same underlying construct.

Calibration

Calibration of the SDSS-10 involves validating the scale across different populations and contexts to ensure its generalizability and accuracy. This may include comparing the scale’s performance in diverse cultural settings or testing its predictive validity against other psychological constructs, such as openness to experience or authoritarianism.

Calibration also involves refining the scale based on empirical data. If certain items consistently show weak correlations with the overall scale or do not contribute meaningfully to the dogmatism score, they may be revised or removed to improve the scale’s reliability and validity.