RE: What is a Likert Scale

[Stuart McKelvie]

Karl Wuench asks:   I have always restricted the use of the term "Likert scale" to those scales where respondents express their STRENGTH OF AGREEMENT with each of several statements , typically with response options varying from "stongly disagree" to "strongly agree."  I have, however, increasingly seen "Likert scale" used to describe items with  five or seven ordered response options but where the response scale is not in terms of strength of agreement.  For example, where the stem is "I think about the Flying Spaghetti Monster" and the response options are  "never," "rarely," "sometimes," "often," and "all the time."  In your opinion, are such scales appropriately referred to as being "Likert scales?"     Comment:   As James Thomas observes, Likert used a very specific procedure: rating of agreement/disagreement empirically-derived scales (Note: his preference being for 5 points, unweighted). Moerover, the central point indicates neutrality, and the ratings were made to unidirectional attitude statements.   Strictly speaking, then, these are the conditions for a Likert scale. I have had recent correspondence on this issue with Marion Aftanas at the University of Manitoba, his concern being the the terms “Likert: and “Likert-type” are used rather inappropriately and somewhat indiscriminately.   In answer to Karl’s question, I do not think that a scale should be called a Likert scale unless it meets Likert’s conditions. “Likert-type” might be better, but it does not specify the degree to which the procedure differs from Likert’s I prefer the neutral term “ordered response” scale for scales that do not meet Likert’s conditions.   Sincerely,   Stuart --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: archive@jab.org To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]