TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - 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
JO  - Journal of health psychology
A1  - Ogden, Jane
A1  - Lo, Jessica
SP  - 350
EP  - 361
VL  - 17
IS  - 3
N2  - 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.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1359-1053
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1359105311417192
ID  - ref1
ER  -