A descriptive Analysis and Interpretation of Data from Likert Scales in Educational and Psychological Research

Abstract

Likert’s scale is a measurement method to assess individual’s opinions about specific issues. It might be either bipolar reflecting two opposite states of the responses or unipolar reflectinga regular graduation in the degree or status of the issue being measured. A lot of descriptive studies in educational and psychological research collect data measured on Likert scales. However, there are arguments among researchers about which methods are appropriate for a descriptive analysis and interpretation of data from Likert scales. The current paper aimed at discussing the nature of Likert scales and illustrating ways of descriptively analyzing and interpreting data collected using Likert scales. The paper started defining Likert’s scale, presenting types of bias in Likert scales, and differentiating between Likert scale and Likerttype item. Then, three ways were suggested to interpret Likert scale data. These were using a scale of class intervals of the scale composite scores, one-sample t-test, and relative importance index. The selection of any of these ways should consider the conceptual framework of the issue being studied, nature of the sample, and reference of interpretation.