title: How meaningful are data from Likert scales? An evaluation of how ratings are made and the role of the response shift in the socially disadvantaged.
abstract: Likert scales relating to quality of life were completed by the homeless (N = 75); first year students (N = 301) and a town population (N = 72). Participants also completed free text questions. The scale and free text data were often contradictory and the results highlighted three processes to account for these disparities: i) frame of reference: current salient issues influenced how questions were interpreted; ii) within-subject comparisons: ratings were based on expectations given past experiences; iii) time frame: those with more stable circumstances showed habituation to their level of deprivation. Likert scale data should be understood within the context of how ratings are made.
authors.affiliation: University of Surry, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK. J.Ogden@surrey.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ogden
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012934:Social Isolation / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult