Which of the following best describes a key characteristic of a Likert scale?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To address the question, let’s evaluate what a Likert scale entails and contrast it with the other options.
Option 1 asserts that respondents provide answers using their own words related to each statement. This describes open-ended or free-text responses, not a Likert scale, which relies on predefined response options rather than spontaneous wording.
Option 2 claims that judges assign numerical values to items based on perceived importance. This resembles an expert rating or scoring method, but it does not capture the hallmark of a Likert scale, which centers on respondents expressing degree of agreement or frequency rather than subjective importance scores.
Option 3 says respondents are asked to rank items in order of preference. Ranking requires ordering, which is a different format (rank-ordering) and does not use fixed-option levels of agreement or frequency. Therefore, it diverges from how Likert scales operate.
Option 4 states that statements are rated on a fixed scale, for example indicating levels of agreement/disagreement or frequency. This precisely matches the core feature of Likert scales: a set of fixed response categories that quantify attitudes or feelings along a continuum.
In sum, the first three options describe alternative survey formats (open-ended, expert rating, and ranking), none of which embody the fixed-scalar agreement/frequency structure of a Likert scale, while the fourth option accurately captures the defining characteristic of Likert scales.

2025/26/1 PSYB19-104 1 - Basics of Research Methods Exam (16 December, 11:00)

Which of the following best describes a key characteristic of a Likert scale?

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