Contribution in an anthology

Appeared in: ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY, VOL 40

Editor list: Cook, KS; Massey, DS

Publication year: 2014

Pages: 55-75

Volume number: 40

ISSN: 0360-0572

eISSN: 1545-2115

eISBN: 978-0-8243-2240-3

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-071913-043137

Title of series: Annual Review of Sociology

Abstract: 
Determining whether people in certain countries score differently in measurements of interest or whether concepts relate differently to each other across nations can indisputably assist in testing theories and advancing our sociological knowledge. However, meaningful comparisons of means or relationships between constructs within and across nations require equivalent measurements of these constructs. This is especially true for subjective attributes such as values, attitudes, opinions, or behavior. In this review, we first discuss the concept of cross-group measurement equivalence, look at possible sources of nonequivalence, and suggest ways to prevent it. Next, we examine the social science methodological literature for ways to empirically test for measurement equivalence. Finally, we consider what may be done when equivalence is not supported by the data and conclude with a review of recent developments that offer exciting directions and solutions for future research in cross-national measurement equivalence assessment.

Harvard Citation style: Davidov, E., Meuleman, B., Cieciuch, J., Schmidt, P. and Billiet, J. (2014) Measurement Equivalence in Cross-National Research, in Cook, K. and Massey, D. (eds.) ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY, VOL 40. ANNUAL REVIEWS, pp. 55-75. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-071913-043137

APA Citation style: Davidov, E., Meuleman, B., Cieciuch, J., Schmidt, P., & Billiet, J. (2014). Measurement Equivalence in Cross-National Research. In Cook, K., & Massey, D. (Eds.), ANNUAL REVIEW OF SOCIOLOGY, VOL 40 (pp. 55-75). ANNUAL REVIEWS. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-071913-043137