{"id":7715,"date":"2026-07-14T01:36:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T01:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/?p=7715"},"modified":"2026-07-14T03:59:26","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T03:59:26","slug":"what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is a Likert Scale? Definition, Types, and Examples\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Key Takeaways:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>A Likert scale is a survey rating scale, devised by Rensis Likert in 1932, that measures attitudes and opinions across a range of response options, usually 4-9 points.<\/li>\n<li>Likert scales are either odd (3-point, 5-point, 7-point) with a neutral midpoint, or even (2-point, 4-point) forced-choice scales without one.<\/li>\n<li>The 5-point scale is the most widely used format because it balances ease of answering with informativeness.<\/li>\n<li>Likert-derived data is usually treated as <a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/levels-of-measurement-nominal-ordinal-interval-ratio-examples\/\">ordinal<\/a> and summarized with the mode or median; it can be treated as interval data if that assumption is stated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Glossary_of_Key_Terms\" title=\"Glossary of Key Terms\">Glossary of Key Terms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_Is_a_Likert_Scale\" title=\"What Is a Likert Scale?\">What Is a Likert Scale?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_Are_Likert_Scale_Questions\" title=\"What Are Likert Scale Questions?\">What Are Likert Scale Questions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#When_Should_You_Use_Likert_Scale_Questions\" title=\"When Should You Use Likert Scale Questions?\">When Should You Use Likert Scale Questions?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Likert_Scale_Examples\" title=\"Likert Scale Examples\">Likert Scale Examples<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Types_of_Likert_Scales\" title=\"Types of Likert Scales\">Types of Likert Scales<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Odd_Likert_Scales\" title=\"Odd Likert Scales\">Odd Likert Scales<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Even_Likert_Scales\" title=\"Even Likert Scales\">Even Likert Scales<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Odd_vs_Even_Likert_Scales_Quick_Comparison\" title=\"Odd vs. Even Likert Scales: Quick Comparison\">Odd vs. Even Likert Scales: Quick Comparison<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#3-Point_vs_5-Point_vs_7-Point_Scales\" title=\"3-Point vs. 5-Point vs. 7-Point Scales\">3-Point vs. 5-Point vs. 7-Point Scales<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Likert_Scale_vs_Other_Rating_Scales\" title=\"Likert Scale vs. Other Rating Scales\">Likert Scale vs. Other Rating Scales<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Characteristics_of_Likert_Scales\" title=\"Characteristics of Likert Scales\">Characteristics of Likert Scales<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#How_Do_You_Write_Likert_Scale_Questions\" title=\"How Do You Write Likert Scale Questions?\">How Do You Write Likert Scale Questions?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Writing_the_Questions\" title=\"Writing the Questions\">Writing the Questions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Writing_the_Response_Options\" title=\"Writing the Response Options\">Writing the Response Options<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Sample_Likert_Scale_Questionnaire_Template\" title=\"Sample Likert Scale Questionnaire Template\">Sample Likert Scale Questionnaire Template<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#How_Do_You_Analyze_Likert_Scale_Data\" title=\"How Do You Analyze Likert Scale Data?\">How Do You Analyze Likert Scale Data?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Analysis_at_the_Ordinal_Level\" title=\"Analysis at the Ordinal Level\">Analysis at the Ordinal Level<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Analysis_at_the_Interval_Level\" title=\"Analysis at the Interval Level\">Analysis at the Interval Level<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Worked_Example_A_5-Point_Satisfaction_Survey\" title=\"Worked Example: A 5-Point Satisfaction Survey\">Worked Example: A 5-Point Satisfaction Survey<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Advantages_and_Disadvantages_of_Likert_Scales\" title=\"Advantages and Disadvantages of Likert Scales\">Advantages and Disadvantages of Likert Scales<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Is_a_Likert_scale_ordinal_or_interval_data\" title=\"Is a Likert scale ordinal or interval data?\">Is a Likert scale ordinal or interval data?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_is_a_5-point_Likert_scale_with_an_example\" title=\"What is a 5-point Likert scale with an example?\">What is a 5-point Likert scale with an example?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Why_is_it_called_a_Likert_scale_and_how_is_it_pronounced\" title=\"Why is it called a Likert scale, and how is it pronounced?\">Why is it called a Likert scale, and how is it pronounced?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Can_you_calculate_the_average_of_Likert_scale_data\" title=\"Can you calculate the average of Likert scale data?\">Can you calculate the average of Likert scale data?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#What_is_the_difference_between_a_Likert_scale_and_a_rating_scale\" title=\"What is the difference between a Likert scale and a rating scale?\">What is the difference between a Likert scale and a rating scale?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#How_many_points_should_a_Likert_scale_have\" title=\"How many points should a Likert scale have?\">How many points should a Likert scale have?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#Should_a_Likert_scale_include_a_neutral_midpoint\" title=\"Should a Likert scale include a neutral midpoint?\">Should a Likert scale include a neutral midpoint?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/blog\/article\/what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples\/#How_do_you_analyze_Likert_scale_data_in_Excel_or_SPSS\" title=\"How do you analyze Likert scale data in Excel or SPSS?\">How do you analyze Likert scale data in Excel or SPSS?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Glossary_of_Key_Terms\"><\/span><strong>Glossary of Key Terms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before diving in, here are the key terms used throughout this guide.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\"><strong>Term<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"451\"><strong>Definition<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Likert scale<\/td>\n<td width=\"451\">A rating scale that measures attitudes or opinions by asking respondents to choose 1 option from a graded set of responses.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Likert item<\/td>\n<td width=\"451\">A single statement or question rated on a Likert scale.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Response anchor<\/td>\n<td width=\"451\">The verbal label on an option, especially at the extreme ends, such as strongly agree or strongly disagree.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Midpoint<\/td>\n<td width=\"451\">The neutral option at the center of an odd-numbered scale.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Forced choice<\/td>\n<td width=\"451\">An even-numbered scale that omits the neutral midpoint, requiring respondents to lean positive or negative.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Ordinal data<\/td>\n<td width=\"451\">Data with a clear rank order but no assumption of equal distance between values.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Interval data<\/td>\n<td width=\"451\">Data where the difference between 2 values is meaningful and assumed equal.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"173\">Psychometrics<\/td>\n<td width=\"451\">The field of psychology concerned with developing and validating surveys, scales, and questionnaires.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_a_Likert_Scale\"><\/span><strong>What Is a Likert Scale?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A Likert scale is a quantitative data collection tool used in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/cross-sectional-study-definition-examples-and-tips-for-survey-research-design-and-reporting\/\">cross-sectional surveys<\/a> and research to measure attitudes, opinions, or perceptions. Respondents rate a statement on a predetermined scale, typically ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree, with varying degrees in between.<\/p>\n<p>The scale was devised by American social scientist Rensis Likert in 1932 in his publication <em>A Technique for the Measurement of Attitudes<\/em>. Unlike simple yes\/no questions, Likert scales capture opinions in more depth, which is why they remain the most widely used <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/how-to-create-your-scale-for-research-types-of-reliability-validity-in-research\/\">psychometric scale<\/a> in survey research.<\/p>\n<p>Most Likert scales comprise 4-9 response points with accompanying verbal anchors. Responses can be coded numerically for analysis; if so, the values must be defined for that specific study, for example, 1 = strongly disagree and 5 = strongly agree. Likert scales are widely employed in psychology, sociology, healthcare, education, and market research.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Likert_Scale_Questions\"><\/span><strong>What Are Likert Scale Questions?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Likert scale questions are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/questionnaire-survey-research\/\">survey items<\/a> that present a statement or question and ask respondents to indicate their level of agreement, satisfaction, frequency, likelihood, or importance. Usually, 5 or 7 options are provided.<\/p>\n<p>For example, the question &#8220;How satisfied are you with the results of the dental appliance?&#8221; could offer these response items:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Very dissatisfied<\/li>\n<li>Dissatisfied<\/li>\n<li>Neutral<\/li>\n<li>Satisfied<\/li>\n<li>Very satisfied<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Positive options appear on one side, negative options on the other, and the midpoint is typically neutral. The options at the extreme ends are called response anchors.<\/p>\n<p><em>Image suggestion: a screenshot of a 5-point Likert scale question rendered with radio buttons, with alt text such as &#8220;5-point Likert scale question example measuring satisfaction.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_Should_You_Use_Likert_Scale_Questions\"><\/span><strong>When Should You Use Likert Scale Questions?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Use Likert scale questions when you need nuanced, graded responses rather than binary yes\/no answers. They are ideal for measuring subjective experiences such as attitudes, satisfaction, and perceptions, provided the questions are clear, unbiased, and relevant to your research objectives.<\/p>\n<p>Common scenarios include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Psychological research: <\/strong>Measuring attitudes, personality traits, and emotional states.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Social science research: <\/strong>Quantifying opinions on societal issues, political views, and cultural preferences.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Healthcare research: <\/strong>Assessing patient satisfaction or treatment efficacy.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Market research: <\/strong>Gauging consumer preferences, brand perceptions, and product satisfaction.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Education research: <\/strong>Evaluating course feedback, teaching effectiveness, and student engagement.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/all-access-pricing?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=rblog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples-aap-banner-3\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-9683 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-3-1024x410.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"256\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-3-1024x410.png 1024w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-3-300x120.png 300w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-3-768x307.png 768w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-3-1536x615.png 1536w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AAP-Banner-3-2048x820.png 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Likert_Scale_Examples\"><\/span><strong>Likert Scale Examples<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Here are 4 common 5-point Likert scale examples used in surveys and questionnaires. Each row shows the full response set for a different construct.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong>Agreement<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong>Likelihood<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong>Frequency<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong>Importance<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Strongly agree<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Definitely<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Very frequently<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Very important<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Agree<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Probably<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Frequently<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Important<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Undecided<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Possibly<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Occasionally<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Fairly important<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Disagree<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Probably not<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Rarely<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Slightly important<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Strongly disagree<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Definitely not<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Very rarely<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Not important<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Types_of_Likert_Scales\"><\/span><strong>Types of Likert Scales<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When designing a Likert scale survey, researchers must consider the categories of response and the size and direction of the scale. Broadly, there are 2 types of Likert scales: odd and even.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Odd_Likert_Scales\"><\/span><strong>Odd Likert Scales<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Odd scales (3-point, 5-point, or 7-point) include a neutral midpoint. The midpoint can be interpreted differently by different respondents, but it avoids forcing an artificial opinion. Odd scales for satisfaction typically run as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>3-point scale: <\/strong>Satisfied, Neutral, Dissatisfied.<\/li>\n<li><strong>5-point scale: <\/strong>Very satisfied, Satisfied, Neutral, Dissatisfied, Very dissatisfied.<\/li>\n<li><strong>7-point scale: <\/strong>Very satisfied, Moderately satisfied, Slightly satisfied, Neutral, Slightly dissatisfied, Moderately dissatisfied, Very dissatisfied.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Even_Likert_Scales\"><\/span><strong>Even Likert Scales<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Even scales omit the central point, so respondents must lean positive or negative. This forced-choice format is used when a neutral option is not essential or when neutral clustering is expected. Even scales for satisfaction typically run as follows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>2-point scale: <\/strong>Satisfied, Dissatisfied.<\/li>\n<li><strong>4-point scale: <\/strong>Very satisfied, Satisfied, Dissatisfied, Very dissatisfied.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Odd_vs_Even_Likert_Scales_Quick_Comparison\"><\/span><strong>Odd vs. Even Likert Scales: Quick Comparison<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\"><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"232\"><strong>Odd scale<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"232\"><strong>Even scale<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Neutral midpoint<\/td>\n<td width=\"232\">Yes<\/td>\n<td width=\"232\">No (forced choice)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Common formats<\/td>\n<td width=\"232\">3-point, 5-point, 7-point<\/td>\n<td width=\"232\">2-point, 4-point, 6-point<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Best for<\/td>\n<td width=\"232\">Capturing genuinely neutral views<\/td>\n<td width=\"232\">Avoiding fence-sitting and neutral clustering<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"160\">Main risk<\/td>\n<td width=\"232\">Overuse of the midpoint by undecided or fatigued respondents<\/td>\n<td width=\"232\">Forcing opinions respondents may not hold<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3-Point_vs_5-Point_vs_7-Point_Scales\"><\/span><strong>3-Point vs. 5-Point vs. 7-Point Scales<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong>Attribute<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong>3-point<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong>5-point<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"156\"><strong>7-point<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Detail captured<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Low<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Moderate<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">High<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Ease of answering<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Very easy<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Easy<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Requires more thought<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Reliability and precision<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Lowest<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Good balance<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Highest of the 3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"156\">Typical use<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Quick polls, mobile surveys<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Most academic and market research<\/td>\n<td width=\"156\">Fine-grained attitude research<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Likert_Scale_vs_Other_Rating_Scales\"><\/span><strong>Likert Scale vs. Other Rating Scales<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Likert scales are often confused with other survey scales. The table below shows how they differ from 3 common alternatives.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\"><strong>Scale<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"239\"><strong>How it works<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"239\"><strong>Best for<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Likert scale<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">Respondents rate agreement or another attribute using labeled options, e.g., strongly agree to strongly disagree.<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">Measuring attitudes and opinions with nuance.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Semantic differential<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">Respondents rate a concept between 2 opposite adjectives, e.g., useful vs. useless, with unlabeled points in between.<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">Measuring connotations and perceptions of brands or concepts.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Net Promoter Score (NPS)<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">A single 0-10 question on likelihood to recommend a product or service.<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">Tracking customer loyalty over time.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"147\">Simple rating scale<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">Numeric or star ratings, often 1-5, with only the endpoints labeled.<\/td>\n<td width=\"239\">Quick product or service reviews.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Characteristics_of_Likert_Scales\"><\/span><strong>Characteristics of Likert Scales<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Several essential characteristics make the Likert scale a widely used and effective research tool:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Clear labels: <\/strong>Every response option carries an unambiguous verbal label reflecting the intended level of agreement or disagreement.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Ordinal structure: <\/strong>Response options have a clear rank order, with 2 extreme positions and gradation between them.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Quantifiable: <\/strong>Responses can be assigned numerical values to facilitate statistical analysis.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Symmetry: <\/strong>Scales usually offer an equal number of positive and negative options, which helps reduce response bias.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Easy administration: <\/strong>Scales are simple to administer in surveys, making them practical even for large samples.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Versatility: <\/strong>Scales adapt to many topics and fields, including psychology, sociology, business, and education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/app.adjust.net.in\/9a5h9w2?campaign=R%20Blog&amp;adgroup=discovery-heroarticle-what-is-a-likert-scale&amp;fallback=https%3A%2F%2Fdiscovery.researcher.life%2F%23content_marketing_adjust_blog\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6729 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/blog-banner_collaborative-list.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"656\" height=\"250\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/blog-banner_collaborative-list.png 656w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/blog-banner_collaborative-list-300x114.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 656px) 100vw, 656px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_You_Write_Likert_Scale_Questions\"><\/span><strong>How Do You Write Likert Scale Questions?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Write clear, unbiased, single-topic statements, mix positive and negative framing, and pair them with balanced, mutually exclusive response options. The checklists below cover both halves of the task.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Writing_the_Questions\"><\/span><strong>Writing the Questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Include both questions and statements to keep the survey engaging.<\/li>\n<li>Mix positive and negative framing to avoid biasing responses in 1 direction.<\/li>\n<li>Write concisely; avoid complex syntax, double negatives, and jargon.<\/li>\n<li>Address only 1 topic per question; never combine different topics in a single item.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Writing_the_Response_Options\"><\/span><strong>Writing the Response Options<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Decide the number of options by balancing ease of answering with informativeness; most researchers use 5.<\/li>\n<li>Choose between unipolar options, which measure 1 attribute such as importance, and bipolar options, which span 2 poles such as agreement and disagreement.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure options are mutually exclusive.<\/li>\n<li>Omit overlapping response items or items with similar meanings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sample_Likert_Scale_Questionnaire_Template\"><\/span><strong>Sample Likert Scale Questionnaire Template<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Copy and adapt this ready-to-use template for a customer or participant satisfaction survey. Each statement uses the same 5-point agreement scale: 1 = strongly disagree, 2 = disagree, 3 = neutral, 4 = agree, 5 = strongly agree.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"60\"><strong>No.<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"564\"><strong>Statement<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"60\">1<\/td>\n<td width=\"564\">The product or service met my expectations.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"60\">2<\/td>\n<td width=\"564\">The instructions provided were clear and easy to follow.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"60\">3<\/td>\n<td width=\"564\">I received support promptly when I needed it.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"60\">4<\/td>\n<td width=\"564\">The overall experience was worth the cost.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"60\">5<\/td>\n<td width=\"564\">I would recommend this product or service to others.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><em>Image suggestion: a downloadable template graphic showing this questionnaire in a survey tool, with alt text such as &#8220;free 5-point Likert scale survey template.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Do_You_Analyze_Likert_Scale_Data\"><\/span><strong>How Do You Analyze Likert Scale Data?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>First determine whether you will treat the data as ordinal or interval; then choose <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/what-are-descriptive-statistics-types-choosing-reporting\/\">descriptive statistics<\/a> to summarize it and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/guide-to-types-of-inferential-statistics-for-biomedical-researchers\/\">inferential statistics<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/hypothesis-testing-different-types-for-biomedical-researchers\/\">test hypotheses<\/a>. Likert-derived data is typically treated as ordinal under the assumption of unequal distance between responses.<\/p>\n<p>An ordinal scale is one where order matters but the difference between values does not, e.g., socioeconomic status or satisfaction rating. An interval scale is one where the difference between 2 values is meaningful, e.g., temperature or exam scores.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Analysis_at_the_Ordinal_Level\"><\/span><strong>Analysis at the Ordinal Level<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Descriptive statistics: <\/strong>Use the mode or median for each question to summarize the sample.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Visualization: <\/strong>Create bar charts displaying the frequency of each choice.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inferential statistics: <\/strong>Use Spearman&#8217;s correlation or a chi-square test of independence, e.g., to examine the link between social media use and awareness of current affairs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Analysis_at_the_Interval_Level\"><\/span><strong>Analysis at the Interval Level<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Descriptive statistics: <\/strong>Total the scores per participant, then calculate the mean and standard deviation across the sample.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Inferential statistics: <\/strong>Use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/pearson-correlation-coefficient-definition-examples\/\">Pearson&#8217;s correlation<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/anova-types-uses-assumptions-a-quick-guide-for-biomedical-researchers\/\">analysis of variance (ANOVA)<\/a>, e.g., to test whether overall Likert scores correlate with IQ; always state that data are being treated at the interval level.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Worked_Example_A_5-Point_Satisfaction_Survey\"><\/span><strong>Worked Example: A 5-Point Satisfaction Survey<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Suppose 100 customers answered the statement &#8220;I am satisfied with the service&#8221; on a 5-point scale. The responses are tabulated below.<\/p>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"200\"><strong>Response<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"141\"><strong>Assigned value<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"141\"><strong>Frequency<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"141\"><strong>Percentage<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"200\">Strongly disagree<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">1<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">5<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"200\">Disagree<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">2<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">10<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">10%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"200\">Neutral<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">3<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">20<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">20%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"200\">Agree<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">4<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">40<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">40%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"200\">Strongly agree<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">5<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">25<\/td>\n<td width=\"141\">25%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Treated as ordinal data, the mode is 4 (agree) and the median is 4, so the typical customer agrees with the statement. A bar chart of these frequencies would show a distribution skewed toward agreement. Treated as interval data, the mean is 3.7 with a standard deviation of about 1.1, indicating moderately positive satisfaction with some spread.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Advantages_and_Disadvantages_of_Likert_Scales\"><\/span><strong>Advantages and Disadvantages of Likert Scales<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<table width=\"624\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\"><strong>Advantages<\/strong><\/td>\n<td width=\"312\"><strong>Disadvantages<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">Granular results give a detailed understanding of individual perspectives.<\/td>\n<td width=\"312\">Prone to response bias from fatigue or social desirability.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">Quantitative nature enables statistical analysis of complex topics.<\/td>\n<td width=\"312\">Items are open to subjective interpretation by respondents.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">User-friendly and time-saving because items are closed-ended.<\/td>\n<td width=\"312\">Closed-ended questions restrict respondents&#8217; choices.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"312\">Suitable for large samples and easy to administer at scale.<\/td>\n<td width=\"312\">Midpoints may attract undecided or disengaged respondents.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_a_Likert_scale_ordinal_or_interval_data\"><\/span><strong>Is a Likert scale ordinal or interval data?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Likert-derived data is usually treated as ordinal because equal distance between response options cannot be assumed. However, many researchers treat summed scores from multiple items as interval data for analysis, provided that assumption is explicitly stated.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_a_5-point_Likert_scale_with_an_example\"><\/span><strong>What is a 5-point Likert scale with an example?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A 5-point Likert scale offers 5 graded response options for a statement. A typical agreement example is: strongly agree, agree, undecided, disagree, strongly disagree. It is the most commonly used format in academic and market research.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_is_it_called_a_Likert_scale_and_how_is_it_pronounced\"><\/span><strong>Why is it called a Likert scale, and how is it pronounced?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The scale is named after Rensis Likert, the American social scientist who introduced it in 1932. His surname is pronounced &#8220;LICK-ert,&#8221; not &#8220;LIE-kert,&#8221; although both pronunciations are common in practice.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_calculate_the_average_of_Likert_scale_data\"><\/span><strong>Can you calculate the average of Likert scale data?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, but only if you treat the data as interval-level and state that assumption. For a single ordinal item, the median or mode is more defensible; means are most appropriate for composite scores summed across several related items.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_difference_between_a_Likert_scale_and_a_rating_scale\"><\/span><strong>What is the difference between a Likert scale and a rating scale?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A Likert scale is a specific type of rating scale in which every option carries a verbal label and the options are symmetric around agreement or another attribute. Generic rating scales, such as 1-5 star ratings, often label only the endpoints.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_points_should_a_Likert_scale_have\"><\/span><strong>How many points should a Likert scale have?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most researchers use 5 points because the format balances ease of answering with informativeness. Use 7 points when you need finer precision and reliability; use 4 or 6 points when you want to force a positive or negative choice.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_a_Likert_scale_include_a_neutral_midpoint\"><\/span><strong>Should a Likert scale include a neutral midpoint?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Include a midpoint when genuinely neutral views are meaningful for your research question. Omit it, using an even forced-choice scale, when neutral clustering is expected or when a directional opinion is essential to the analysis.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_do_you_analyze_Likert_scale_data_in_Excel_or_SPSS\"><\/span><strong>How do you analyze Likert scale data in Excel or SPSS?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In Excel, use frequency counts, the MEDIAN and MODE functions, and bar charts for single items. In SPSS, run frequencies and nonparametric tests such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/blog\/chi-square-test-types-explained-for-biomedical-researchers\/\">chi-square<\/a> or Spearman&#8217;s correlation for ordinal data, or ANOVA and Pearson&#8217;s correlation for interval-level composite scores.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/paperpal.com\/?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=r-blog&amp;utm_campaign=hero-what-is-a-likert-scale\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-5464 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RPaperpal_BlogBanners-1_03_.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"139\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RPaperpal_BlogBanners-1_03_.png 640w, https:\/\/blog.researcher.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/RPaperpal_BlogBanners-1_03_-300x65.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Editage All Access<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> is a subscription-based platform that unifies the best AI tools and services designed to speed up, simplify, and streamline every step of a researcher\u2019s journey. The <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=rblog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples-boilerplate\"><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Editage All Access Pack<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a> <i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">is a one-of-a-kind subscription that unlocks full access to an AI writing assistant, literature recommender, journal finder, scientific illustration tool, and exclusive discounts on professional publication services from Editage.<\/span><\/i><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Based on 22+ years of experience in academia, <\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Editage All Access<\/span><\/i><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> empowers researchers to put their best research forward and move closer to success. Explore our top AI Tools pack, AI Tools + Publication Services pack, or Build Your Own Plan. Find everything a researcher needs to succeed, all in one place \u2013\u202f<\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/researcher.life\/all-access-pricing?utm_source=contentmarketing&amp;utm_medium=rblog&amp;utm_campaign=what-is-a-likert-scale-definition-types-and-examples-boilerplate\"><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">Get All Access now starting at just <\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">$14<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\"> a month<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">!<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u202f<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>This article was originally published on January 31, 2024, and updated on July 14, 2026.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Takeaways: A Likert scale is a survey rating scale, devised by Rensis Likert in 1932, that measures attitudes and opinions across a range of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":7719,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_editorskit_title_hidden":false,"_editorskit_reading_time":0,"_editorskit_is_block_options_detached":false,"_editorskit_block_options_position":"{}","footnotes":""},"categories":[487,63,1],"tags":[156,733,734],"class_list":["post-7715","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research-reading","category-research-tips","category-researcher-life","tag-academic-research","tag-likert-scale","tag-psychological-research"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is a Likert Scale? 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The Likert scale is a widely used psychometric tool for measuring attitudes and opinions. Respondents are asked to rate their agreement with statements on a scale, providing valuable quantitative data for analysis. 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