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Can Likert Scales be Treated as Interval Scales?A Simulation Study
Huiping Wu1; Shing-On Leung2
2017
Source PublicationJOURNAL OF SOCIAL SERVICE RESEARCH
ISSN0148-8376
Volume43Issue:4Pages:527-532
Abstract

The Likert scale is widely used in social work research, and is commonly constructed with four to seven points. It is usually treated as an interval scale, but strictly speaking it is an ordinal scale, where arithmetic operations cannot be conducted. There are pros and cons in using the Likert scale as an interval scale, but the controversy can be handled by increasing the number of points. Several researchers have suggested bringing the number up to eleven, on the basis of empirical data. In this article the authors explore this rational and share the same view, but simulate artificial data from both symmetrical normal and skewed distributions where the underlying metric is known in advance. Results show that more Likert scale points will result in a closer approach to the underlying distribution, and hence normality and interval scales. To increase generalizability social work practitioners are encouraged to use 11-point Likert scales from 0 to 10, a natural and easily comprehensible range.

KeywordLikert Scale Ordinal Scale Interval Scale Normality
DOI10.1080/01488376.2017.1329775
URLView the original
Indexed BySSCI
Language英語English
WOS Research AreaSocial Work
WOS SubjectSocial Work
WOS IDWOS:000410919100008
PublisherROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
The Source to ArticleWOS
Scopus ID2-s2.0-85020264789
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Citation statistics
Cited Times [WOS]:242   [WOS Record]     [Related Records in WOS]
Document TypeJournal article
CollectionFaculty of Education
Corresponding AuthorShing-On Leung
Affiliation1.College of Mathematics and Computer Science, Fujian Normal University, Fujian, China
2.Faculty of Education, University of Macau, Macau, China
Corresponding Author AffilicationFaculty of Education
Recommended Citation
GB/T 7714
Huiping Wu,Shing-On Leung. Can Likert Scales be Treated as Interval Scales?A Simulation Study[J]. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SERVICE RESEARCH, 2017, 43(4), 527-532.
APA Huiping Wu., & Shing-On Leung (2017). Can Likert Scales be Treated as Interval Scales?A Simulation Study. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SERVICE RESEARCH, 43(4), 527-532.
MLA Huiping Wu,et al."Can Likert Scales be Treated as Interval Scales?A Simulation Study".JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SERVICE RESEARCH 43.4(2017):527-532.
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