Likert scales are widely used to measure attitudes and opinions with a greater degree of nuance than a simple yesno question. If it sees more sparseness in the ninepoint scale, then it may opt for the sevenpoint scale. Likert scale is an important way by which we can objectify an opinion. If, on the other hand, the association notices concentration on one end of the scale for all three versions, then it can look at the seven and the ninepoint tests. Likert scale items are created by calculating a composite score sum or mean from four or more type likerttype items. The us social psychologist rensis likert 1932 introduced a fivepoint rating scale. Likert scale data, on the other hand, are analyzed at the interval measurement scale. Ppt likert scale powerpoint presentation free to view. A psychometric evaluation of 4point and 6point likert.
For example, each of the five or seven responses would have a numerical value which would be used to. Most researchers would not use a 3point likerttype scale with a statistical technique requiring interval data. Likert items and scales rob johns university of strathclyde 1. Developing the scale is time consuming and relatively complex compared to other scales like the likert scale. It was developed by likert in 1932 and it was based on. Different measurement models were fit by confirmatory factor analyses of a. When multiple likert question responses are summed together interval data.
When several likert items are combined into a scale, so that there are many possible numeric outcomes, the results are often treated as intervalratio data. His innovation was to make a statement instead of asking a question, and then ask respondents to rate the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with the basic statement. In the original version of the scale, likert 1932 provided anchor terms for each point on the scale, such as agree, and did not use numbers. Reporting and interpreting scores derived from likerttype scales j. Likert scale items are created by calculating a composite score sum or mean from four or more type likert type items. A psychometric evaluation of 4point and 6point likerttype. Analyzing likert data the journal of extension joe. Likert scale questions, survey and examples questionpro. Jul, 2010 if, on the other hand, the association notices concentration on one end of the scale for all three versions, then it can look at the seven and the nine point tests.
Some people prefer to use a sevenpoint scale, but it gets a bit more difficult to come up with descriptive terms for each point as you get to higher numbers. Three good reasons not to use five and seven point likert. Reporting and interpreting scores derived from likerttype. It is a unidimensional scale to measure attitudes towards people. Likerttype scale response anchors peru state college. Likert scales can have anywhere from two to seven answer choices, though they. A likert scale that offers agree and disagree as the polar points along with a neutral. A likert scale is commonly used to measure attitudes, knowledge, perceptions, values, and behavioral changes. If youve ever filled out a form or had to collect data using one of these, youll know exactly what i mean. This scale of measuring satisfaction will offer 7 answer options such as satisfied and dissatisfied as the poles along with a neutral option at the midpoint. Pdf likert scale is applied as one of the most fundamental and frequently used. There is much debate over the use of a 5 point scale vs. The employees performance must be evaluated in narrative form on all of the factors and accompanied by a rating of performance level.
Four is an even number, and if we were to add a zero value to a four point scale, it would lose its symmetry. Likert scale points are the number of options or points that your likert scale has for each question or statement. It is a measuring scale or a tool used to determine the opinions, behaviors and perceptions of individuals or consumers. This is a complete guide on 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,and 10 point likert scale, questionnaire examples, analysis and how to interprete all types of likert. Often five ordered response levels are used, although many psychometricians advocate using seven or nine level, a recent empirical study found that a 5 or 7 point scale. The other options must be distinct and should add value to the scale in such a way that respondents can provide precise feedback without any. Likert scale definition, examples and analysis simply psychology. There is much debate over the use of a 5point scale vs. Some common examples of rating scales in social sciences, particularly psychology are the likerttype scales in which a person selects an statement among several statement or 110 rating scales. A fourpoint likert scale is the first of the even scale options when doing a likert survey. The ubiquitous likert item the question above, taken from the 2007 british social attitudes survey, is an example of a likert item. A likert scale is a survey tool used to measure attitudes and opinions by asking people to respond to a series of statements about a topic, in terms of the extent to which they agree or disagree with it likert scale was developed by a renowned psychologist by the name rensis likert.
This all depends on the psychometric properties of the measure that you are using. Lets explore what makes up a likert question, find examples, understand when you should use this tool, and see how you can put it to work for your surveys. So 7 point likert scale is the same as 5 point scale but the opinion options are more in the case of the 7 point likert scale. The original idea for the likert scale is found in rensis likerts 1932 article in archive of psychology titled a technique for the measurement of attitudes.
Otherwise, it may choose to go with the ninepoint scale. Though, likert scales do not use adjective lists but phrase positive or negative statements which together make up for a set of items a summated rating scale. Items measured on a 7 point likert type scale strongly disagree, disagree, somewhat disagree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat agree, agree, strongly agree compet01 i feel very confident about the skills of online forum members in relation to the topics we discuss. Organizational psychologist rensis likert developed the likert scale in order to assess the level of agreement or disagreement of a symmetric agreedisagree scale. An effective likert scale include a series of questions that you ask people to answer, and ideally 57 balanced responses people can choose from. Although there are technically three scales, when people refer to the thurstone scale theyre usually talking.
Agreement strongly agree agree undecided disagree strongly disagree agree strongly agree moderately agree slightly disagree slightly disagree moderately disagree strongly agree. The usual likert scale will comprise of a minimum of five response categories. To assist you in developing your rating of performance level, please refer to the definition of performance indicators listed on the back of this appraisal form. Likert item is considered symmetric or balanced because there are equal amounts of positive and negative positions. Like in the previous example, this four point scale doesnt have a zero value. My masters thesis opens pdf relied on a likert scalepowered survey. Pdf a method for constructing likert scales researchgate. Some of the most commonly used scales are known as the likert scale a 5 or 7 point balanced descriptive scale, named after michigan psychometrician rensis likert. A likert scale assumes that the strengthintensity of an attitude is linear, i. Odd likert scales are used when the survey creator intends to provide freedom to the respondents for the type of feedback that they provide. Since the advent of likert scale in 1932, there have been debates among the users about its best possible usability in term of reliability and validity of number of points on the scale 1720. If it sees more sparseness in the nine point scale, then it may opt for the seven point scale. The psychometric literature suggests that having more scale points is better but there is a diminishing return after around 11 points nunnally 1978. Thurstone scale, likert scale and semantic differential.
Most researchers would not use a 3 point likert type scale with a statistical technique requiring interval data. If required, the ends of the scale can be extended to facilitate a seven point scale. The scale measures responses on a degree of least to most and questions people regarding the extent to which they agree, disagree, approve, disapprove or think to be true or false. Relationships with othersconsider such factors as interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, communication skills, and cooperation. Level of performance initiative and selfrelianceconsider such factors as extent of supervision required. The short answer is that 7point scales are a little better than 5pointsbut not by much. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext. There are at least three good reasons why likert items in general, and seven point likert items specifically, can be a dangerous default choice for survey researchers. Developed in 1932 by rensis likert 1 to measure attitudes, the typical likert scale is a 5 or 7 point ordinal scale used by respondents to rate the degree to which they agree or disagree with a statement table. In its final form, the likert scale is a five or seven point scale which is used to allow the individual to express how much they agree or disagree with a particular statement. It is the most widely used approach to scaling responses in survey research, such that the term or more accurately the likerttype scale is often used interchangeably with rating scale, although there. A psychometric evaluation of 4 point and 6 point likert type scales in relation to reliability and validity lei chang university of central florida reliability and validity of 4 point and 6 point scales were assessed using a new modelbased approach to fit empirical data. Some people prefer to use a sevenpoint scale, but it gets a bit more difficult to come up with descriptive terms.
It is the most widely used approach to scaling responses in survey research, such that the term or more accurately the likerttype scale is often used interchangeably with rating scale, although there are. Likerttype or frequency scales use fixed choice response formats and are designed to measure attitudes or opinions 2. Various kinds of rating scales have been developed to measure attitudes directly i. Likert scale examples for surveys iowa state university. Clemson university frequency 7 point 1 never 2 rarely, in less than 10% of the chances when i could have. In its final form, the likert scale is a five or seven point scale which is used to allow the individual to. The likert scale is named for its creator, american scientist rensis likert, who felt that surveys yielding only yesorno answers were limited in their usefulness. Items measured on a 7 point likerttype scale strongly disagree, disagree, somewhat disagree, neither agree nor disagree, somewhat agree, agree, strongly agree compet01 i feel very confident about the skills of online forum members in. Likert scale usually has five, seven or nine points, with five and seven points used most frequently. Almost everyone would recognise this type of survey. Robert warmbrod1 abstract fortynine percent of the 706 articles published in the journal of agricultural education from 1995 to 2012 reported quantitative research with at least one variable measured by a likerttype scale. Likert scales are used in research interviews to measure the responses of survey participants.
A likert scale is a rating scale, often found on survey forms, that measures how people feel about something. Likert scale is typically a five, seven, or ninepoint agreement scale used to measure respondents agreement with a variety of statements. You wont see seven point scales very often, but we have actually used one on this site. A thurstone scale has a number of agree or disagree statements. Likert scale examples for surveys iowa state extension. Analyzing and interpreting data from likerttype scales. A likerttype scale involves a series of statements that respondents may choose from in order to rate their responses to evaluative questions vogt, 1999.
Jan 10, 2019 likert scale was developed by a renowned psychologist by the name rensis likert. As a 7 point scale reveals more description of the motif and thus appeals practically to the faculty of reason of the participants. Otherwise, it may choose to go with the nine point scale. When you want to access the attitude of people more quantitatively a likert scale can be very instrumental tool in your survey. A rating scale is a set of answers designed with the aim of collecting information about a quantitative or a qualitative attribute. Likerttype or frequency scales use fixed choice response formats. The researcher gives a statement or question and the survey participant has a number of choices that represent the degree of their answer.
Developed in 1932 by rensis likert 1 to measure attitudes, the typical likert scale is a 5 or 7point ordinal scale used by respondents to rate the degree to which they agree or disagree with a statement table. Pemberton studied five to eleven point bipolar scales with a sample of 450 students. Five point likert item likert scale difference likert item 5. Likert scale is commonly used in academic and business research because it. Likert scale definition, examples and analysis simply. For example, each of the five or seven responses would have a numerical value which would be used to measure the attitude under investigation. Organizational psychologist rensis likert developed the likert scale in order to assess the level of agreement or disagreement of a. A 7 point likert scale example for agreement will include options such as. Quantity of workconsider such factors as speed and consistency of output and time utilization. In an ordinal scale, responses can be rated or ranked, but the distance between responses is not measurable. Three good reasons not to use five and seven point likert items. Though many scales have been developed by psychologists to measure the attitude of people in a direct way, the likert scale is by far the best and most used scale. Likert scale is commonly used in academic and business research because it provides a better and accurate means of measuring peoples perceptions, opinions, and behaviors. Even worse, i had to collect all the data manually for 10 websites and 40 respondents.