The dilemma of combining positive and negative items in scales.
BACKGROUND
This study analyzed the advantages and disadvantages of combining negative and positive items in scales in a Spanish-speaking context.


METHODS
Three telephone surveys of 233 people each were carried out. In one survey, 15 items from the Keyes Social Well-Being Scale were worded in a positive fashion; another survey presented 8 items in a positive fashion and 7 items in terms of direct denial; and in the third survey, 7 items were worded positively, 5 were worded in negative terms using polar opposites, and 3 terms were presented in terms of direct denial.


RESULTS
The results show a greater tendency for the items in the Positive questionnaire to show results associated with the directionality of the items. However, this questionnaire shows higher values of the Cronbach&rsquo;s alpha coefficient, and better fit of the theoretical factor structure.


CONCLUSIONS
In the survey that included only positive items, findings indicated the existence of acquiescence bias. However, a remedy to this situation only made matters worse, as the combination of positive and negative items seriously affected the internal consistency of the scales.
Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica.
Martín
M
Solís Salazar
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D003364:Costa Rica; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012929:Psychological Distance; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D055815:Young Adult