Making Questions Using Likert Scale

For Chapter 3

Work Plan

Review of Past Lessons Rensis Likert Likert Scale Interpreting the Data from Likert Scale Computing for the Weighted Mean Samples Reminders

Rensis Likert

American educator and organizational psychologist

did research on major corporations around the world, and his studies have accurately predicted the subsequent performance of the corporations.

He developed Likert scales and the Linking pin model.

Likert Scales

is a scale often used in questionnaires, and is the most widely used scale in survey research. (ex: PLED DCIA survey)

When responding to a Likert questionnaire item, respondents specify their level of agreement to a statement.

Words like Poor to Excellent are used

Sample Question presented using a five-point Likert Scale

A typical test item in a Likert scale is a statement, the respondent is asked to indicate their DEGREE OF AGREEMENT with the statement.

Remember:

It is best to use a five point scale to suit statistical tools. (e.g., Chi square, ANOVA, Pearson R)

Positive attributes are given the high point values. The highest point value goes to the most positive attribute and the lowest point value goes to the most negative.

Milk is good for breakfast.

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

Examples of Options with assigned values:

5: Excellent 4: Very Good 3: Average 2: Below Average 1: Poor

5: Large extent 4: Certain extent 3: Not sure 2: Limited Extent 1: Not at all

Example A Example B

5: Always 4: Frequently 3: Seldom 2: Occasionally 1: Never

Examples of Options with assigned values:

Example C

Interpreting the Data from the Likert Scale

Use the weighted mean to compute the data from the scale.

For example:

Options Frequency OF Total

5 8 5x8 40

4 21 4x21 84

3 7 3x7 21

2 3 2x3 6

1 1 1x1 1

Options Frequency OF Total

5 Excellent 8 5x8 40

4 Very Good 21 4x21 84

3 Average 7 3x7 21

2 Below Average 3 2x3 6

1 Poor 1 1X1 1

TOTAL 152

Add the total ( 40+84+21+6+1)Divide the total with Total Number of Respondents (F):

152÷40 = 3.8Therefore the weighted mean is 3.8 (Very Good)

If you need to interpret therefore, you begin first with the graphical presentation before stating the weighted mean of the item/s.

Figure 1: How Students Rate Their Performance in English

19%

52%

18%8% 3%

5 Excellent

4 Very Good

3 Average

2 Below Average

1 Poor

Figure 1 shows that 21 or 52% rated themselves 4 (Very Good), 8 or 19% rated themselves 5 (Excellent), 7 or 18% rated themselves 3 (Average), 3 or 8% rated themselves 2 (Below Average) and 1or 3% rated himself 1(Poor).

This means that majority of the respondents rated themselves 4 ( Very Good). The weighted mean is 3.8. This supports the statement that students consider themselves Very Good as far as their performance in English is concerned.

Consult your PASS advisers re: questionnaires. Make sure that the questions / items in the questionnaires are aligned with the statement of the problem.

For statistical treatment needed consult Ms. Agnes Cortes.

Reminders: