Likert Scale: Definition, Format, Advantages, and Limitations

Here's a structured markdown conversion of the text in the images: # LIKERT SCALE ## ORIGIN OF LIKERT SCALE * The original idea for the Likert scale is found in Rensis Likert's 1932 in Archive of psychology titled “A technique for the measurement of Attitudes". * Likert-type or frequency scal...

Here's a structured markdown conversion of the text in the images: # LIKERT SCALE ## ORIGIN OF LIKERT SCALE * The original idea for the Likert scale is found in Rensis Likert's 1932 in Archive of psychology titled “A technique for the measurement of Attitudes". * Likert-type or frequency scales use fixed choice response formats and are designed to measure attitudes or opinions. ## WHAT IS LIKERT SCALE? * It is a psychometric scale commonly involved in research that employs questionnaires. * It is the most widely used approach to scaling responses in survey research. * Likert scales are a non-comparative scaling technique and are one-dimensional in nature. * When responding to a Likert questionnaire item respondents specify their level of agreement or disagreement on a symmetric agree-disagree scale for a series of statements. ## THE FORMAT OF A TYPICAL SEVEN-LEVEL LIKERT ITEM **1. It is the duty of doctors to keep people alive for as long as possible.** ☐ Strongly Agree ☐ Agree ☐ Agree somewhat ☐ Undecided ☐ Disagree somewhat ☐ Disagree ☐ Strongly disagree ## THE FORMAT OF A TYPICAL FIVE-LEVEL LIKERT ITEM * I believe that ecological questions are the most important issues facing human beings today. Strongly agree / agree / don't know / disagree / strongly disagree Each of the five (or seven) responses would have a numerical value which would be used to measure the attitude under investigation. ## WHEN TO USE LIKERT SCALES * We can use it to get an overall measurement of a particular topic, opinion, or experience and also collect specific data on contributing factors. * Choose a particular scale (3 point, 5point, 7 point, etc) and use it as your standard to cut down on potential confusion and fatigue. This will also allow for comparisons within and between your data sets. ## ADVANTAGES * Likert Scale questions use psychometric testing to measure beliefs, attitudes and opinion. * Working with quantitative data, it is easy to draw conclusions, reports, results and graphs from the responses. * Likert Scale questions use a scale, & people are not forced to express an either-or opinion, rather it allows them to be neutral. * It is very easy and quick type of survey and it can be sent out through all modes of communication, including even text messages. ## LIMITATIONS * They are uni-dimensional, because they only give a certain amount of choices. * Previous questions will have influenced responses to any further questions that have been asked. * Participants may not be completely honest which may be intentional or unintentional. ## CONTD... * Participants may base answers on feelings toward surveyor or subject. * Scale requires a great deal of decision-making. * Can take a long time to analyze the data ## Likert-Type Scale Response Anchors **Citation:** Vagias, Wade M. (2006). *Likert-type scale response anchors.* Clemson International Institute for & Research Development, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. Clemson University. | Level of Acceptability | My Beliefs | Level of Support/Oppose | | :-------------------------------- | :------------------------------------ | :---------------------- | | 1. Totally unacceptable | 1. Very untrue of what I believe | 1. Strongly | | 2. Unacceptable | 2. Untrue of what I believe | 2. Somewhat | | 3. Slightly unacceptable | 3. Somewhat untrue of what I believe | 3. Neutral | | 4. Neutral | 4. Neutral | 4. Somewhat favor | | 5. Slightly acceptable | 5. Somewhat true of what I believe | 5. Strongly favor | | 6. Acceptable | 6. True of what I believe | | | 7. Perfectly Acceptable | 7. Very true of what I believe | | | Level of Appropriateness | Priority | Level of Probability | | :--------------------------------- | :-------------------------- | :------------------------ | | 1. Absolutely inappropriate | 1. Not a priority | 1. Not probable | | 2. Inappropriate | 2. Low priority | 2. Somewhat improbable | | 3. Slightly inappropriate | 3. Somewhat priority | 3. Neutral | | 4. Neutral | 4. Neutral | 4. Somewhat probable | | 5. Slightly appropriate | 5. Moderate Priority | 5. Very probable | | 6. Appropriate | 6. High priority | | | 7. Absolutely appropriate | 7. Essential priority | | | Level of Importance | Level of Concern | Level of Agreement | | :--------------------------------- | :--------------------------------- | :------------------------ | | 1. Not at all important | 1. Not at all concerned | 1. Strongly disagree | | 2. Low importance | 2. Slightly concerned | 2. Disagree | | 3. Slightly important | 3. Somewhat concerned | 3. Neither agree nor disagree | | 4. Neutral | 4. Moderately concerned | 4. Agree | | 5. Moderately important | 5. Extremely concerned | 5. Strongly agree | | 6. Very important | | | | 7. Extremely important | | | | Level of Agreement | Priority Level | Level of Desirability | | :--------------------------------- | :-------------------------- | :------------------------ | | 1. Strongly disagree | 1. Not a priority | 1. Very undesirable | | 2. Disagree | 2. Low priority | 2. Undesirable | | 3. Somewhat disagree | 3. Medium priority | 3. Neutral | | 4. Neither agree or disagree | 4. High priority | 4. Desirable | | 5. Somewhat agree | 5. Essential | 5. Very desirable | | 6. Agree | | | | 7. Strongly agree | | | | Knowledge of Action | Level of Problem | Level of Participation | | :-------------------------------- | :--------------------------- | :------------------------ | | 1. Never true | 1. Not at all a problem | 1. No, and not | | 2. Rarely true | 2. Minor problem | 2. No, but consider | | 3. Sometimes but infrequently true | 3. Moderate problem | 3. Yes | | 4. Neutral | 4. Serious problem | | | 5. Sometimes true | | | | 6. Usually true | | | | 7. Always true | | | | Affect on X | Frequency - 5 point | Frequency Use | | :------------------------------ | :------------------ | :-------------------------- | | 1. No affect | 1. Never | 1. Never | | 2. Minor affect | 2. Rarely | 2. Almost never | | 3. Moderate affect | 3. Sometimes | 3. Sometimes | | 4. Major affect | 4. Often | 4. Almost every | | | 5. Always | 5. Every time | | | | | | Reflect Me? | Level of Consideration | | :--------------------------------- | :---------------------------- | | 1. Very untrue of me | 1. Would not consider | | 2. Untrue of me | 2. Might or might not consider | | 3. Somewhat untrue of me | 3. Definitely consider | | 4. Neutral | | | 5. Somewhat true of me | | | 6. True of me | | | 7. Very true of me | |