How to correctly use a Likert scale Although

nafizcristia97

Seems quite simple to set up a survey using the Likert scale, to correctly take advantage of this technique and obtain reliable and useful data, it is necessary to be very careful and follow a few recommendations: Choose the right number of levels Likert scales can have many levels, but typically or are used.  It has been observed that adding more levels allows respondents to provide more nuanced responses, although this effect tends to disappear after levels. On the other hand, it is also known that there is a tendency on the part of respondents to avoid too extreme opinions and to concentrate their answers on central values ​​(what is called Center tendency bias.

For this reason, a -point response scale makes it possible to soften this bias, providing participants with more options to express their opinion by providing more intermediate values ​​to choose from. The Likert scale must be symmetrical Regardless of the Brazil Mobile Number List number of options available, it is important that the scale is symmetrical, that is, that it has the same number of positive or negative responses and that it is not unbalanced on one side. For example, a scale like the following It would be biasing the results towards a positive opinion since the respondent would only have one option to express their disagreement with the service. Within symmetry, the scales can be bipolar , that is, provide response options that represent two extreme concepts around neutrality (Confused / Clear) or unipolar , that is, have as extremes the absence and the maximum value of something (Nothing of agree / Completely agree).



The unipolar option tends to be preferred because it is easier for respondents to understand. The Likert scale has to be balanced. To ensure that we can correctly measure the opinion of respondents, it is essential not only that the distance between the different response options is the same but that it is also perceived that way by the respondents themselves . For example, a scale with the following response options would raise doubts Terrible - Bad - Average - Good - Optimal - Excellent Is the difference between “fair” and “good” the same as between “optimal” and “excellent” or between “terrible” and “bad”? Answer options must be descriptive and precise One of the most common mistakes we can make when designing a survey is asking questions or providing unclear response options that can be understood differently by each respondent .