What criteria should we use to judge a work attitudes question ...

1. What criteria should we use to judge a work attitudes question for� inclusion in a longitudinal study? Brendan Burchell Not really a paper at all, don�t expect a set of interlinked arguments and data leading to a conclusion, Nor profound philosophical ramblings. Not really a paper at all, don�t expect a set of interlinked arguments and data leading to a conclusion, Nor profound philosophical ramblings.

2. With this audience, like teaching grandparent to suck eggs. General, then specificWith this audience, like teaching grandparent to suck eggs. General, then specific

3. What else is necessary to win in the competition for inclusion? How long will it take to administer? Eg Psychologist�s Big 5 vs Sociologist�s single item Are the theoretical or policy issues addressed �fads� or will they still be relevant in 2018? What will employment be like in 2018 and 2028? Complexity Is the question equally suitable for those with the highest and lowest levels of education or ability? Piloted Whose responsibility is it to pilot questions? Problem for psychologists. Like to measure a few things very well, Sociologists measure more things less well. Futurology? Mobile phones? Problem for psychologists. Like to measure a few things very well, Sociologists measure more things less well. Futurology? Mobile phones?

4. Cont� cross-survey criteria Comparability Does the question permit valuable comparisons with populations sampled at other times or places? Has it been used before and shown to be valuable in other contexts (e.g. high predictive value) Translatability Is it already available in other languages? Does it contain idiosyncratic words or phrases that would be difficult to translate for migrant communities or international comparisons? I live, eat and breath my job Plagiarism! But should not stand in the way of originality. Plagiarism! But should not stand in the way of originality.

5. Statistical properties Error properties Can it be used in the latest psychometric analyses? Response scale Interval or ordinal? Polychotomous to create different thresholds? Compatible with validated scale AND other response categories in survey (e.g. agree-disagree, frequency etc) Gives accuracy across full range.

6. Usefulness Can the cause of change between waves be interpreted unambiguously? Is change between waves caused by cultural change, individual change or structural change? i.e. the lottery question. Are changes caused by changes in the work ethic, more enjoyable jobs or wider knowledge about the misery of some workless lottery winners? Why do we need this question? DV, IV, background, filter, control for confounding effects. Suitable for the full range of jobs Can it be asked of office and factory workers, lower skilled manual employees and senior managers. Gives meaningful variance across whole population

7. 38. IMPORTANT: ALL APPLICANTS MUST READ AND CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX FOR EACH ITEM.A visa may not be issued to persons who are within specific categories defined by law as inadmissible to the United States (except when a waiver is obtained in advance). Is any of the following applicable to you? Have you ever been arrested or convicted for any offense or crime, even though subject of a pardon, amnesty or other similar legal action? Have you ever unlawfully distributed or sold a controlled substance(drug), or been a prostitute or procurer for prostitutes? Have you ever been refused admission to the U.S., or been the subject of a deportation hearing or sought to obtain or assist others to obtain a visa, entry into the U.S., or any other U.S. immigration benefit by fraud or willful misrepresentation or other unlawful means? Have you attended a U.S. public elementary school on student (F) status or a public secondary school after November 30, 1996 without reimbursing the school? Do you seek to enter the United States to engage in export control violations, subversive or terrorist activities, or any other unlawful purpose? Are you a member or representative of a terrorist organization as currently designated by the U.S. Secretary of State? Have you ever participated in persecutions directed by the Nazi government of Germany; or have you ever participated in genocide? Have you ever violated the terms of a U.S. visa, or been unlawfully present in, or deported from, the United States? Have you ever withheld custody of a U.S. citizen child outside the United States from a person granted legal custody by a U.S. court, voted in the United States in violation of any law or regulation, or renounced U.S. citizenship for the purpose of avoiding taxation? Have you ever been afflicted with a communicable disease of public health significance or a dangerous physical or mental disorder, or ever been a drug abuser or addict? While a YES answer does not automatically signify ineligibility for a visa, if you answered YES you may be required to personally appear before a consular officer.

8. Final points Different criteria important to psychologists from those important to sociologists or economists? Dora Scholarios (2008) Thanks to Jane Elliott, Dora Scholarios and Mike Rose for ideas and comments.