{"id":8022,"date":"2022-03-07T05:51:51","date_gmt":"2022-03-07T05:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/qualaroo.com\/blog\/?p=8022"},"modified":"2025-08-26T08:39:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-26T08:39:51","slug":"likert-scale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web-staging.qualaroo.com\/blog\/likert-scale\/","title":{"rendered":"Likert Scale Surveys: Why & How to Create Them (With Examples)"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Among many survey types that either offer you qualitative or quantitative insights, the Likert Scale gives you the best of both worlds.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To best describe the Likert scale in brief, it\u2019s a 5 or 7 point scale that collects qualitative data in the form of options that say\u201cI agree<\/em>\u201d or \u201cI disagree<\/em>\u201d and represents these insights as easy to analyze quantitative data reports.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here are the eye-opening points we\u2019ll cover in this article:
Let\u2019s start with developing a clear understanding of the Likert scale, how it\u2019s different from other surveys and more.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/span>Likert Scale: Definition<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Likert scale is a psychometric and unidimensional scale from which respondents pick the best option representing their views on a topic. Generally, researchers use this survey scale to gauge people\u2019s attitudes and perspectives towards different things, which cannot be polarized.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Companies use the Likert scale in their surveys to understand the target market and how satisfied customers<\/a> are with them, what they think of the brand and product, and more.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It is not the best option to assess attributes such as age, gender, and demographic parameters but works excellent when gathering opinions using agree or disagree statements.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Since opinions and views are not always polar, using this scale with five to seven options ranging from \u2018Strongly Agree<\/em>\u2019 to \u2018Strongly disagree<\/em>\u2019 allows respondents more room to answer honestly and not feel restricted to choose any definite answer.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For example, one person may be liberal on some topics but may hold conservative thoughts on others. So, offering them statements with \u2018Agree\u2019 <\/em>and \u2018Disagree\u2019 <\/em>options is the right way to understand their viewpoint.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

This scale was developed by psychologist Rensis Likert and had several variants like the Guttman scale, Bogardus scale, and Thurstone scale.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The Likert scale operates on the assumption that the intensity and strength of an experience are linear, meaning it can go from total agreement to total disagreement. It also assumes that attitudes are measurable.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The most popular types of Likert scale are 5-point and 7-point scales with one neutral and equal positive and negative options. Here\u2019s an example of a 5-point scale:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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<\/span>Difference Between Likert Scale and Likert Item<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Likert item is the statement used in the survey that respondents evaluate using dichotomous options.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

A Likert scale is the total of all the responses a survey gathers. There can be more than one Likert item in a Likert scale survey.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here is an example:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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In this survey, four statements related to a topic come one by one as the respondent answers each question. Each of these statements is a Likert item.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

<\/span>5\u2010point and 7\u2010point Scale: Does It Matter?<\/span><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Source<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The two most widely used scales are the 5-point (also known as the unipolar Likert Scale) and the 7-point (also known as bipolar Likert scale) scales. A lot of research on the scales confirms that these two scales are the most effective in collecting plausible and accurate feedback data.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

[Related read: 13 Ways to Collect Customer Feedback for Your Website<\/a>]\u00a0<\/pre>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Factually speaking, researchers have confirmed that the information from Likert items on such a scale tends to become less apt as the number of points goes beyond 7 or drops below 5<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Here are some arguments on why each one is preferred and what they bring to the table.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/span>Why consider a 5-point scale<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n