An Empirical Study of Scoring Methods for the Conover Driving Attitude Inventory

The measurement of driving attitudes has followed in the wake of various studies and statistical data indicating that improper attitudes are responsible for an unduly high percentage of accidents. Certain of these tests have limitations, one of which is an economical method of scoring. Conover (Conover, 1947) used a scoring method such that the values 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, are assigned respectively to the responses designated as; most displeasing, displeasing, indifferent, pleasing, and most pleasing, for the positive items, and to avoid negative scores the values 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, are assigned respectively to the same responses; most displeasing, displeasing, indifferent, pleasing, and very pleasing, on the negative items. Summing the positive items according to the values given and the negative items by the reverse scoring system, the score for an individual is obtained. The Conover Driving Attitude Inventory is designed to measure the attitudes of individuals toward factors shown to be important in safe driving. An individual\u27s attitude toward specific factors, as indicated by his response to the items of the scale may be considered to constitute his attitude toward safe driving in general. In other words it is a test of one\u27s reactions to everyday driving experiences while behind the wheel. One-hundred fifty items make up the scale, thirty-five of which are considered positive items, thirty negative, and the remaining eighty-five are considered as fillers