A Tutorial for Finding and Evaluating HRI Scales

Subjective measurement scales are commonly employed in HRI research. We provide a half-day tutorial (4 hours) that aims to empower researchers with the tools to find appropriate scales for their research and assess their quality, confidently and efficiently. There are no prerequisites required for attendees. We aim to recruit researchers interested in using scales but who are unsure about how to pick which scale to use. The first part of the tutorial will teach attendees how to assess the quality of HRI scales. To accomplish this, we will review basic topics in psychometric theory and a guideline that outlines best practices in scale development and validation. In the second part, we will apply this guideline to two frequently used HRI scales: Godspeed and Robotic Social Attributes Scale (RoSAS). Attendees are also encouraged to bring scales they are interested in reviewing. The third part aims to help attendees find appropriate scales for their research. To accomplish this, we will review the HRI scale database: the first centralized online repository of HRI scales which contains over 50 of the most used HRI scales. These scales cover a wide array of topics of interest such as, trust, perceived agency, embodiment, danger, safety, and attitudes towards robots. Our goal for this tutorial is to promote active engagement from attendees throughout the session, ultimately striving to improve the quality and replicability of results in HRI studies.