oLT7: What are we measuring? Measurement of attitudes and beliefs towards SARS-CoV-2
Measurement is the foundation for any field of science. Many social scientists take for granted that survey instruments measure the supposed construct of interest such as depression, intelligence, and happiness. Social science research on COVID-19 has made fast progress in studying psychological attitudes and behaviors, but the same fast progress comes at the expense of disregarding measurement recommendations that researchers propose to improve the field. Rating scales may fail to capture respondent's underlying attitudes because of differences in the statement wording, the response options available, and whether they form a composite. Discussion regarding the origins of SARS-CoV-2 has evolved over time and differences in measurement can obscure the magnitude of the supposed change in public attitudes and beliefs regarding the topic. This talk proposes an open-source database that compiles survey item statements relevant to measuring beliefs and attitudes on the origins of SARS-CoV-2.