Description

The Social Capital Survey Scales (SCSS-27) is an assessment tool designed to measure different dimensions of social capital within communities or social groups. Social capital refers to the resources, relationships, trust, and cooperation that exist among individuals and contribute to social cohesion and collective functioning.

The SCSS-27 evaluates important aspects of social relationships, including social participation, trust, solidarity, and the extent and quality of social networks.

Objective

The main objective of the SCSS-27 is to understand and quantify the level of social capital within different social environments.

The scale examines the degree to which individuals participate in shared activities, their trust toward other people and institutions, and the existence and strength of their social networks. These dimensions contribute to understanding how social capital influences social well-being and community development.

Structure and Content

The SCSS-27 includes different dimensions of social capital, focusing on:

Social Participation: Evaluates the frequency and intensity of participation in social and community activities.

Trust: Assesses the level of trust between community members and toward social institutions.

Solidarity: Measures feelings of mutual support, cooperation, and assistance among members of a community.

Social Networking: Evaluates the extent and quality of individuals’ social networks, including the number of social contacts and frequency of communication.

Scoring Method

Each dimension of the SCSS-27 is scored separately in order to capture specific aspects of social capital.

Responses are typically rated using Likert-type scales. Social participation and solidarity dimensions are assessed on a scale ranging from:

1 = Never

to

5 = Very Often.

Trust is evaluated on a scale ranging from:

1 = Not at all

to

5 = Very Much.

Higher scores indicate stronger social capital, reflecting greater participation, trust, solidarity, and stronger social connections.

Data Analysis and Use

The analysis of SCSS-27 data is conducted using statistical methods such as factor analysis and reliability analysis to examine the validity and reliability of the scales.

The questionnaire can be applied in social research, community studies, public health research, and organizational settings to investigate the relationship between social capital and social outcomes.

Validity and Reliability

The psychometric evaluation of the SCSS-27 focuses on ensuring that the dimensions accurately represent different aspects of social capital. Factor analysis can be used to examine the underlying structure of the scales, while reliability analysis evaluates their consistency.

References

Perkins, D. D., & Long, D. A. (2002). Neighborhood sense of community and social capital: A multi-level analysis. In A. Fisher, C. Sonn, & B. Bishop (Eds.), Psychological Sense of Community: Research, Applications, and Implications (pp. 291–318). New York: Plenum.