At Supermood we use Likert-type scales which are widely used to measure opinions, perceptions, and behaviors. They are named after the American psychologist Rensis Likert who developed them.
The rating scales that we propose allow respondents to express their opinion on a subject and to transform this opinion into a numerical data that will then allow statistical analysis.
In this article, we present you with the prerequisites you need to know to define the right rating scales for your surveys!
ℹ To facilitate your analysis, make sure to use only one scale for your entire survey! Results are only comparable between several questions if the scale is the same.
The scales chosen by Supermood
The most recommended scale: from 1 to 5
This is the most commonly used scale for internal surveys and the one we recommend using for your regular surveys:
- It has good statistical qualities.
- It is easier for the respondent to position his opinion.
- It leaves a safe value for the respondent (option 3) if he or she has no opinion or a mixed opinion on the subject.
The scale from 1 to 5 makes it easy to collect the opinions of coworkers and to prioritize the subjects in an organization.
On the other hand, coworkers may not have a strong opinion on something or may not want to take a position on an issue. Thus, the safe harbor value not only ensures more reliable results but also has a better impact on the participation rate. If participants feel pressured to have a strong opinion, they may indeed retreat and stop responding to surveys.
Finally, Supermood analysis interfaces such as the heatmap make it easier to read the results of closed-ended questions with a scale of 1 to 5. This scale will allow you to compare the different questions of your campaign.
The 0 to 10 scale, the eNPS model
The scale from 0 to 10 offers a wide range of possible answers. It nevertheless echoes the school rating system, which leaves room for intuitive behavior when choosing the answer.
It also allows you to group your respondents into 3 categories: ambassadors, passive and non-ambassadors.
In particular, it is used to measure coworker’s engagement using the Employee Net Promoter Score, the SuperScore.
Other commonly used scale models
For more options and flexibility, Supermood gives you the possibility to choose other ladder models. However, for the sake of readability and consistency in the comparative reading of the results of your different surveys, all responses to closed questions will be converted to a scale of 1 to 5 on the heatmap.
The "forced choice" scales
The so-called "forced choice" scales have an even number of options.
The most commonly used is the scale from 1 to 4; it can be used whenever you want a clear-cut position from your coworkers.
Be careful, however, by forcing the respondent to take a position, you run the risk that he or she will refuse to answer and thus lose his or her opinion.
The scale from 1 to 7
Presenting a fairly large number of nuanced options, the scale from 1 to 7 is frequently used for scientific and sociological studies because it has very good statistical properties and a good granularity of responses. However, respondents are less accustomed to using it.
If you would like advice on the most suitable format for your survey, please contact your account manager!
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