I have heard from my senior scholars that we can't use a non-validated scale to measure variables in a correlational study. Is it true? Can anyone help me with finding a reference for the same.
Navneetha K. Of course you can. Should you? Probably not. If you can't be sure your measure is valid, you can't be sure the results are valid.
You can assess the reliability and validity of your scale within your own data set -- otherwise, how would validated scales ever get created?
Navneetha K.
The use of non-validated scales in research, especially in correlational studies, is a topic of debate. Validated scales are preferred due to their established reliability and validity, but non-validated scales may be used in exploratory research or when validated instruments are unavailable.
Researchers sometimes use non-validated questionnaires and scales, especially in preliminary studies or when other measures are unavailable. In such cases, it's important to acknowledge the limitations of the instruments and interpret the results with caution. Researchers may also conduct their own validation studies as part of the research process to enhance the credibility of the scale.
In summary, although it is possible to apply inferential statistics to data from non-validated questionnaires, it's important to interpret the results carefully and clearly acknowledge any limitations. Also, it's best to perform further analyses to see if the scale is still valid within the specific study's framework.