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2 The Likert Scale is an ordered, one-dimensional scale from

which respondents choose one option that best aligns with
their view. This is typically considered an ³agree ± disagree´
scale.

2 This was developed by Rensis Likert in 1932

2 It requires the individuals to make a decision on their level of

agreement, generally on a five-point scale (ie. Strongly Agree,
Agree, Disagree, Strongly Disagree) with a statement
2 The number beside each response becomes the value for that
response and the total score is obtained by adding the values
for each response, hence the reason why they are also called
'summated scales'

2 The Likert Scale is the most widely used method of scaling in

the social sciences today. Perhaps this is because they are
much easier to construct and because they tend to be more
reliable than other scales with the same number of items
2 u



2 Simple to construct
2 Each item of equal value so that respondents are scored rather than items
2 Likely to produce a highly reliable scale
2 Easy to read and complete

2 Œ


2 ›


 
2 
  
2     

  
2 Dow do you feel about the Principal's performance this year?
2 1 ± strongly approve
2 2 ± somewhat approve
2 3 ± neutral/no opinion
2 4 ± somewhat disapprove
2 5 ± strongly disapprove

2 Dow often do you visit the zoo?

2 1 ± Never
2 2 ± Rarely
2 3 ± Sometimes
2 4 ± Often
2 5 ± Always
2 Dow old are you?
2 1 ± Below 18
2 2 ± 18-25
2 3 ± 26-35
2 4 ± 36-50
2 5 ± Above 50

2 Dow informative is this article?

2 Very informative 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Not informative

2 Describe your personality.

2 Gregarious 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Reclusive
 D
  
 
 
 

    . As in all scaling methods, the first step is to define what it
is you are trying to measure. Because this is a unidimensional scaling method, it is
assumed that the concept you want to measure is one-dimensional in nature. You
might operationalize the definition as an instruction to the people who are going to
create or generate the initial set of candidate items for your scale.


   . next, you have to

create the set of potential scale items. These
should be items that can be rated on a 1-to-5 or 1-
to-7 Disagree-Agree response scale. Sometimes
you can create the items by yourself based on
your intimate understanding of the subject matter.
But, more often than not, it's helpful to engage a
number of people in the item creation step. For
instance, you might use some form of
brainstorming to create the items. It's desirable to
have as large a set of potential items as possible at
this stage, about 80-100 would be best.
 D
  
 
 
 
V ¦
 . The next step is to have a group
of judges rate the items.
m



  

  
 
  


  
 
  



 
  
   
  


   
  


Notice that, as in other scaling methods, the judges
are not telling you what they believe -- they are
judging how favourable each item is with respect
to the construct of interest.

V
 . The next step is to compute the intercorrelations
between all pairs of items, based on the ratings of the judges
V u   

. You're now ready to use your Likert scale.
Each respondent is asked to rate each item on some response scale
 è
   
   
 
 


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