Single-item measures suit narrow constructs but can’t be checked for reliability

Evidence

A major criticism of single-item measures is that they are generally considered unreliable because their internal consistency cannot be calculated (Fisher et al., 2016; Nagy, 2002; Nunnally & Bernstein, 1978). However, Wanous and colleagues (1997) suggested that single-item measures are sufficient for measuring narrow or unambiguous constructs (e.g., overall life satisfaction). Additionally, single-item measures have the potential to capture the overall construct that could otherwise go unmeasured when multipleitem measures are unable to fully represent all aspects of a construct that respondents may deem important (Wanous et al., 1997). — Ummul-Kiram Kathawalla, Fei Bi Chan, Quratulain Gulamhussein, Amy Riegelman, and Moin Syed, Conceptualization and Measurement of…, 47

Categorization

• ADDENDUM: Generalizes the methodological point behind ‘Grafting & Growth’ and ‘Complaints About Immodesty’: single proxies for a broad construct capture what longer instruments miss but sacrifice verifiability.