The terms Likert-type and Likert scale are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same.
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Likert scale refers to a specific type of psychometric scale that measures attitudes, opinions, or beliefs. It uses a series of statements with which respondents indicate their level of agreement or disagreement using a five-point scale: strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, and strongly disagree.
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Likert-type refers to any scale that uses a similar format to the Likert scale, but might have a different number of response options or use different wording for the response categories.
Here's a simple breakdown:
- Likert scale: A specific, standardized scale with five response options.
- Likert-type: A broader category that encompasses scales with similar formats, but may differ in the number of response options or wording.
Examples:
- Likert scale: "I am satisfied with my job." (Strongly agree, agree, neither agree nor disagree, disagree, strongly disagree)
- Likert-type: "How satisfied are you with your job?" (Very satisfied, satisfied, neutral, dissatisfied, very dissatisfied)
Practical Insights:
- The Likert scale is a widely used and well-validated tool for measuring attitudes and opinions.
- Likert-type scales can be adapted to different research contexts and needs.
- When designing a Likert-type scale, it's important to ensure that the response options are clear, concise, and equally spaced.
