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Crook, D (1997) Empirical enquiry or metaphysics? Re-specifying the methodological debate. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(02), 56–71.

Holt, G D (1997) Construction research questionnaires and attitude measurement: relative index or mean?. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(02), 88–96.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: attitude measurement; questionnaire design; ranking;research method
  • ISBN/ISSN: 1358-9180
  • URL:
  • Abstract:
    The relative index (RI) technique, is used extensively in construction research for analysing structured questionnaire survey response data. That is, RI is frequently employed as a methodology for the measured attitude, in particular, with respect to variables impacting upon construction management issues. This short note describes the characteristics of RI and highlights caveats and limitations governing its use. Using hypothetical data, the paper compares the RI methodology with commensurate observations on 'mean response'. It is concluded that the nature of the Likert scale used within the questionnaire will directly impact the output of the RI analysis in several ways. Further, that should ordinal sorting of variables (based on sample attitude) be the only research requirement, then the more simple measure of mean response will achieve the same results as RI.

Lenard, D, Raftery, J and McGeorge, D (1997) Designing a research methodology. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(02), 19–33.

McCabe, S (1997) Using suitable tools for researching what quality managers in construction organizations actually do. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(02), 72–87.

Rooke, J D (1997) Developing a more empirical approach to culture, attitude and motivation in construction management research: a critique and a proposal. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(02), 45–55.

Root, D, Fellows, R F and Hancock, M (1997) Quantitative versus qualitative or positivism and interactionism: a reflection of ideology in the current methodological debate?. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(02), 34–44.

Runeson, G (1997) The methodology of building economics research. Journal of Construction Procurement, 3(02), 3–18.