A Likert scale (pronounced 'lick-ert') is an often used questionnaire format. It requests respondents to specify their level of agreement to each of a list of statements.
The Likert scale is named after Rensis Likert, who invented the scale in 1932.
Like Thurstone- or Guttman scaling, Likert scaling is a unidimensional scaling method. As in all scaling methods, the first step is to define what to measure. Because this is a unidimensional scaling method, it is assumed that the concept is one-dimensional in nature.
A typical question using a five-point Likert scale might make a statement, then ask the respondent to indicate whether they:
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neither agree nor disagree
Agree
Strongly agree
The results show an ordinal level of preference; numbers have an inherent order or sequence but do not correspond to a precise mathematical value.
Likertscales were originally developed by Rensis Likert, a sociologist at the University of Michigan from 1946 to 1970.
Likert used a number of specific techniques to first generate items, and then select from among them those that were valid, unidimensional (all measuring a common trait), and well discriminating.
A Likertscale is never an individual item; it is always a set of several items, with specific format features, the responses to which are added or averaged to produce an overall score or measurement.
A Likertscale (pronounced 'lick-ert') is a type of psychometric response scale often used in questionnaires, and is the most widely used scale in survey research.
Likertscaling is a bipolar scaling method, measuring either positive and negative response to a statement.
Likertscale data can, in principle, be used as a basis for obtaining interval level estimates on a continuum by applying the polytomous Rasch model, when data can be obtained that fit this model.
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