Validity of the Rokeach Value Survey

The study evaluated the construct validity of the Rokeach Value Survey (RVS). Rokeach has presented factor analytic evidence that his instrument has the theorized dimensions. However, his results were based on analysis of ipsative data, and therefore, must be cautiously interpreted. The subjects in this study provided ratings of the values employed on the RVS, or normative data, which may be more suitable for factor analytic investigations. The outcomes suggest that the validity of the RVS is to some extent situation specific. It was concluded that ipsative measurement is useful when information about value choice is desired, but that normative measurement is more appropriate when the research is investigating the nature of value perception.