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A comparison of psychometric properties and normality in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-point likert scales
Shing-On Leung
2011
Source PublicationJournal of Social Service Research
ISSN0148-8376
Volume37Issue:4Pages:412-421
Abstract

The Likert scale is very popular, but the question as to the number of scale points is still controversial. This article studies the differences among 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-point Likert scales with a sample of 1,217 students in Macau, using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale as the measuring instrument. There is no major difference in internal structure in terms of means, standard deviations, item-item correlations, item-total correlations, Cronbach's alpha, or factor loadings. Findings indicate that having more scale points seems to reduce skewness, and the 11-point scale, ranging from 0 to 10, has the smallest kurtosis and is closest to normal. Only the 6- and 11-point scales follow normal distributions from Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk statistics. Results on predictive validity are inconclusive. This article discusses future applications and suggests the use of an 11-point scale as it increases sensitivity and is closer to interval level of scaling and normality. Recommendations for social workers and teachers are made to better assist when using self-reported measurement scales.

KeywordInterval Scale Likert Scale Normality Reliability
DOI10.1080/01488376.2011.580697
URLView the original
Indexed BySSCI
Language英語English
WOS Research AreaSocial Work
WOS SubjectSocial Work
WOS IDWOS:000300013700007
The Source to ArticleScopus
Scopus ID2-s2.0-79960784266
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Document TypeJournal article
CollectionFaculty of Education
Corresponding AuthorShing-On Leung
AffiliationFaculty of Education, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau, China
First Author AffilicationFaculty of Education
Corresponding Author AffilicationFaculty of Education
Recommended Citation
GB/T 7714
Shing-On Leung. A comparison of psychometric properties and normality in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-point likert scales[J]. Journal of Social Service Research, 2011, 37(4), 412-421.
APA Shing-On Leung.(2011). A comparison of psychometric properties and normality in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-point likert scales. Journal of Social Service Research, 37(4), 412-421.
MLA Shing-On Leung."A comparison of psychometric properties and normality in 4-, 5-, 6-, and 11-point likert scales".Journal of Social Service Research 37.4(2011):412-421.
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