ABSTRACT
Researchers are often concerned with identifying constructs and investigating relationships among them. Constructs are theoretical concepts or abstractions that help us explain and organize our environment (National Council on Measurement, 1984; Pedhazur & Schmelkin, 1991). They are frequently mentioned in the literature in discussions about intelligence or anxiety, people’s attitudes toward political and religious issues, consumers’ buying habits, and the assessment of learning. Because constructs are theoretical abstractions, they cannot be directly observed. Instead, they must be indirectly defined through their observed manifestations. For example, a researcher might be interested in studying test anxiety. Although test anxiety itself cannot be observed, it might be hypothesized that indicators of it are nail biting, trembling hands, inability to concentrate on the test, or other such physical or psychological symptoms.
