(Though, it should be noted, this is a hard limit-some researchers have argued that individuals cannot distinguish between more than seven different distinct opinions about a subject, and that reliability is not increased beyond 7 points (Miller, 1956 & Johns, R. Since Likert introduced and advocated for the use of the 5 point scale, many researchers have argued that 7 points may increase reliability and validity. Many researchers have argued for the use of more points to improve reliability and validity-a 7 scale, for example, looks like this:Įxtremely | Moderately | Slightly | Neutral | Slightly | Moderately | Extremelyĭissatisfied dissatisfied dissatisfied satisfied satisfied satisfiedĪs we will return to the neutral option question later, let’s interpret the difference between scales of 5 and 7 as equivalent to the difference between scales of 4 and 6. Very dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Neutral | Satisfied | Very satisfied Very dissatisfied | Dissatisfied | Satisfied | Very satisfied In other words, if respondents have an opinion, they’d be dealing with the same four opinionated options. These options provide the same descriptiveness of opinion-no complexity in opinion is added beyond the introduction of a neutral response. Teaching-Family Model standards require the collection of Likert scale data on either a 4 scale or a 5 scale. More points or less? (Why do we use 4 or 5 scales, rather than 6 or 7?) Of course, minimizing this potential at the individual level would improve reliability and validity of the data collected by the questionnaire as a whole-that the data would be replicable if surveyed, again, and that the data reflects the true opinions of the population surveyed.įirstly, should we use more points or less? And perhaps the largest dispute: Should we include a neutral response or not-should the respondent have the ability to offer no opinion at all? Let’s leave the neutral response debate, for now, and look at the number of responses on the scale. their true answer devoid of influence or bias? Since 1932, a great deal of debate has surrounded what features and factors might improve the reliability and validity of the scale-attempting to answer the question: how should we design the scale such that respondents provide the answer closest to the actual truth, i.e. Introduced by Renis Likert in 1932 in his work, “A Technique for the Measurement of Attitudes,” Likert scales are commonly used in questionnaires-from simple surveys to academic research-to collect opinion data.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |