Do data characteristics change according to the number of scale points used? An experiment using 5-point, 7-point and 10-point scales
Do data characteristics change according to the number of scale points used? An experiment using 5-point, 7-point and 10-point scales
复制标题
DOI：
10.1177/147078530805000106
复制
发表时间：
2008-01-01
影响因子：
3
通讯作者：
Dawes, John
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Dawes, John
本研究探讨如何使用李克特类型的量表与5点，7点或10点格式影响所得数据的平均分数，分散和形状的措施。三组受访者被管理一系列的八个问题（组n = 300，250，185）。受访者是从普通公众中随机挑选的成员。对每组使用不同的量表格式。将5分和7分量表重新调整为具有可比性的平均分（满分为10分）。研究发现，一旦重新调整5分和7分量表，它们产生的平均分数相同。然而，10点格式倾向于产生比5点或7点量表略低的相对平均值（在后者被重新标度后）。与重新调整的5分和7分格式相比，10分格式的8个问题的总体平均得分低0.3个量表分。该差异具有统计学显著性，P = 0.04。在其他数据特征方面，在平均值、偏度或峰度的变异方面，各量表格式之间的差异很小。这项研究对于那些思考改变量表格式是否会破坏历史数据可比性的研究部门或机构来说是个好消息。5-和7点的尺度可以很容易地重新调整，得到的数据相当可比。在将5点或7点数据与10点数据进行比较的情况下，简单的重新缩放和算术调整很容易促进比较。这项研究表明，客户情绪的指标-如满意度调查-可能部分取决于规模格式的选择。与10分制相比，5分制或7分制可能产生的平均分略高于可能达到的最高分。
This study examined how using Likert-type scales with either 5-point, 7-point or 10-point format affects the resultant data in terms of mean scores, and measures of dispersion and shape. Three groups of respondents were administered a series of eight questions (group n's = 300, 250, 185). Respondents were randomly selected members of the general public. A different scale format was administered to each group. The 5- and 7-point scales were rescaled to a comparable mean score out of ten. The study found that the 5- and 7-point scales produced the same mean score as each other, once they were rescaled. However, the 10-point format tended to produce slightly lower relative means than either the 5- or 7-point scales (after the latter were rescaled). The overall mean score of the eight questions was 0.3 scale points lower for the 10-point format compared to the rescaled 5- and 7-point formats. This difference was statistically significant at P = 0.04. In terms of the other data characteristics, there was very little difference among the scale formats in terms of variation about the mean, skewness or kurtosis. This study is 'good news' for research departments or agencies who ponder whether changing scale format will destroy the comparability of historical data. 5- and 7-point scales can easily be rescaled with the resultant data being quite comparable. In the case of comparing 5- or 7-point data to 10-point data, a straightforward rescaling and arithmetic adjustment easily facilitates the comparison. The study suggests that indicators of customer sentiment - such as satisfaction surveys - may be partially dependent on the choice of scale format. A 5- or 7-point scale is likely to produce slightly higher mean scores relative to the highest possible attainable score, compared to that produced from a 10-point scale.