Utilizing Likert-type gadgets in qualitative analysis is each frequent and a subject of debate amongst researchers. American social psychologist Rensis Likert (1932) developed the Likert scale, a preferred instrument for measuring attitudes and opinions in “A Approach for the Measurement of Attitudes,” looking for to create a extra dependable and legitimate methodology for measuring attitudes, preferences, and perceptions. He proposed 5 response alternate options: strongly approve, approve, undecided, disapprove, and strongly disapprove. In contrast to earlier strategies, the Likert scale allowed for the summation of particular person Likert-type merchandise scores to create a composite rating representing an total perspective. This summative strategy was a major innovation, offering a extra complete measure of attitudes. Likert sought to quantify inherently qualitative, subjective, unobservable constructs, responses, or attitudes (Tanujaya et al., 2022).
On this paper, Likert-type gadgets will confer with the person gadgets in an instrument rated utilizing an ordered set of other responses. Equally, Likert-type responses will confer with the precise alternative made by the analysis participant, e.g., strongly agree, undecided, or disagree. Likert scale will confer with a bunch of 4 or extra Likert-type gadgets {that a} researcher could use to measure a latent variable of curiosity. Likert-type gadgets present a structured option to gather knowledge, providing a transparent framework for respondents to specific their attitudes, opinions, and perceptions, facilitating a extra simple evaluation and comparability of responses (Doğan & Demirbolat, 2021; Dwivedi & Pandey, 2021). Researchers argue that Likert-type gadgets and Likert scales are comparable and might solely be used a method, with some saying that the evaluation is strictly quantitative and others arguing that qualitative evaluation is feasible (Tanujaya et al., 2022). Proudfoot (2022) mentioned integrating qualitative and quantitative strategies by way of hybrid thematic evaluation, highlighting the flexibleness in utilizing Likert-type gadgets in qualitative analysis. On this paper, we current among the predominant arguments for and in opposition to their use qualitatively and quantitatively, with some examples from every.
Likert Scale
The Likert scale is a collection or battery of a minimal of 4 or extra mutually inclusive Likert-type gadgets which are mixed right into a single composite rating variable in the course of the knowledge evaluation course of (Tanujaya et al., 2022), implying an assumption of an underlying steady variable (Doğan & Demirbolat, 2021; Kleinheksel & Summy, 2020). Likert scales confer with the sum or common of responses to a number of Likert-type gadgets designed to measure a single assemble, e.g., a scale measuring job satisfaction. The Likert scale revolutionized the measurement of attitudes by offering an easy and efficient methodology for quantifying subjective opinions (Tanujaya et al., 2022). Its adoption and continued use throughout numerous disciplines underscore its influence on social science analysis regardless of ongoing debates about its limitations and greatest practices (Tanujaya et al., 2022).
Over time, researchers developed variations of the unique Likert scale, together with completely different numbers of response classes, e.g., 5-point, 7-point scales, and different response codecs, e.g., frequency scales (Tanujaya, 2022). Likert scales present perception into dimensions of an perspective or notion associated to a phenomenon (Tanujaya et al., 2022). The argument for contemplating Likert-type responses as qualitative or quantitative hinges on the analysis targets and the character of the information evaluation. Quantitative arguments emphasize numerical evaluation, aggregation, and statistical testing, whereas qualitative arguments give attention to the subjective which means, context, and thematic interpretation of particular person responses.
Some researchers advocate for a mixed-methods strategy, combining quantitative evaluation for basic traits with qualitative interpretation for deeper understanding. The context by which the Likert-type scale is used can decide whether or not a qualitative or quantitative strategy is extra acceptable. For instance, in exploratory analysis, the qualitative facet could also be emphasised, whereas, in hypothesis-testing analysis, the quantitative facet could also be prioritized. Combining each views can present a complete understanding of the information. Researchers can also analyze the collected responses to the Likert-type gadgets individually, as gadgets slightly than as scales or dimensions (Tanujaya et al., 2022).
Likert-Sort Objects
Researchers analyze Likert scales and Likert-type gadgets in another way on account of their distinct traits (Tanujaya et al., 2022). Likert-type gadgets are single questions or statements which are mutually unique amongst one another. In analyzing Likert-type gadgets, the researcher doesn’t create a composite rating (Doğan & Demirbolat, 2021). Responses to Likert-type gadgets are ordinal, which means they signify an order however the intervals between classes should not essentially equal (South et al., 2022);
Likert-type responses could also be qualitative, as a result of the responses and their interpretation are inherently subjective. Every response represents a person’s subjective expertise, perception, or feeling, which might present qualitative insights. Researchers can describe responses when it comes to what they imply for the respondents, specializing in understanding the underlying meanings, contexts, and nuances of respondents’ selections slightly than numerical worth (Tanujaya et al., 2022). As qualitative knowledge, every particular person’s reply is examined intimately to know what it signifies for that exact respondent. Likert-type gadgets are acceptable to make use of to probe responses gathered from different knowledge sources.
Analyzing the explanations behind the person Likert-type merchandise responses can present deeper insights into and contexts for the attitudes and perceptions of respondents. A researcher may administer Likert-type gadgets together with open-ended questions in surveys or interviews. After amassing extra qualitative knowledge, e.g., interview transcripts, the researcher would assessment the Likert-type responses and related qualitative knowledge to get an total sense of the patterns and themes, to delve deeper into the explanations behind a respondent’s Likert-type response (Li et al., 2023). This may reveal the motivations, attitudes, and emotions that led to the precise alternative on the Likert-type merchandise, to delve deeper into the explanations behind a respondent’s Likert-type response, analyzing responses for rising patterns or themes with out counting on numerical aggregation, just like qualitative content material evaluation (Alabi & Jelili, 2023). Then, the researcher would code the person Likert-type responses for key themes and patterns, probably utilizing qualitative knowledge evaluation software program, e.g., NVivo, Atlas.ti, MaxQDA, to determine recurring themes or patterns.
Themes can emerge inductively from the information, offering insights into frequent elements influencing responses. Descriptions are created to seize the essence of every theme, illustrating how completely different respondents interpret and react to the identical merchandise, supplemented by illustrative direct quotes from respondents to exemplify particular themes, offering vivid illustrations of their views. Following the coding, the researcher might interpret every response and the themes within the context of the respondents’ total narratives and backgrounds, contemplating elements resembling private experiences, cultural background, and situational influences, and talk about how particular person responses relate to broader traits and insights from the qualitative knowledge.
Likert-type responses might be triangulated with different qualitative knowledge sources resembling interview transcripts, observational notes, or doc evaluation. This integration can present a extra holistic view of the analysis subject, enriching the evaluation and interpretation of Likert-type responses. By specializing in narrative description, thematic evaluation, comparative evaluation, triangulation, and reflexive practices, researchers can acquire wealthy, detailed insights into contributors’ views and experiences and reveal the deeper meanings and contexts behind every response.
Likert-type gadgets facilitate the comparability of responses throughout completely different teams or over time (Doğan & Demirbolat, 2021). This comparability might be particularly helpful in mixed-methods analysis the place qualitative insights have to be aligned with quantitative findings. The end result can be a report of findings with wealthy descriptions, illustrative quotes, and contextual evaluation and a dialogue of the implications of the findings for the analysis query and broader subject of examine. Responses to particular person Likert-type gadgets might be helpful in evaluating responses throughout teams, e.g., demographic classes, expertise ranges, to discover variations in perceptions and attitudes. Understanding why completely different teams reply in another way can spotlight essential contextual elements and social influences.
Abstract
In conclusion, using Likert-type gadgets in qualitative analysis presents a nuanced strategy to exploring complicated attitudes and perceptions, bridging the hole between quantitative precision and qualitative depth. Whereas the standard software of Likert scales has been predominantly quantitative, the mixing of qualitative evaluation permits for a richer understanding of the subjective meanings behind particular person responses. By adopting a qualitative strategy, researchers can leverage the structured nature of Likert sort gadgets to seize basic traits whereas concurrently delving into the contextual and thematic features of respondent selections. This twin strategy not solely enhances the interpretative richness of the information but additionally offers a extra complete framework for understanding the varied elements influencing attitudes and perceptions. Finally, the flexibleness of Liker-type gadgets in qualitative analysis underscores their worth as a flexible instrument, able to yielding insights which are deeply reflective of the human expertise.
Dr. John Bryan is a college professor, editor, and dissertation chair. Bryan holds a BA in Chemistry from College of California, San Diego, an MBA in Operations and Advertising and marketing from Rutgers, the State College of New Jersey, and a DBA in Management from the College of Phoenix.
Dr. Donna Graham is a college professor and dissertation chair. Graham holds a BA in Psychology and Training from Rosemont School, a MS in Counseling from Villanova College, a MEd in Instructional Know-how from Rosemont School, and a Doctorate in Philosophy from Capella College.
References
Alabi, A. T., & Jelili, M. O. (2023). Clarifying likert scale misconceptions for improved software in city research. High quality & Amount, 57(2), 1337–1350.
Doğan, E., & Demirbolat, A. O. (2021). Knowledge-driven decision-making in colleges scale: A examine of validity and reliability. Worldwide Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, 13(1), 507–523.
Kleinheksel, A. J., & Summy, S. E. (2020). Establishing the psychometric properties of the EBPAS-36: A revised measure of evidence-based apply attitudes. Analysis in Social Work Follow, 30(5), 539–548.
Li, X., Li, Q., & Wang, Q. (2023). Evaluation of faculty college students’ misconceptions of quantitative analysis in social sciences in China: Implications for educating. Journal of Training and Instructional Analysis, 2(3), 28–31. https://doi.org/10.54097/jeer.v2i3.7140
Likert, R. (1932). A way for the measurement of attitudes. Arch Psychology, 22(140), 55.
Proudfoot, J. (2022). Inductive and deductive hybrid thematic evaluation in mixed-methods analysis. Journal of Blended Strategies Analysis, 17(3), 308–326.
South, L., Saffo, D., Vitek, O., Dunne, C., & Borkin, M. A. (2022, June). Efficient use of Likert scales in visualization evaluations: A scientific assessment. In Pc Graphics Discussion board, 41(3), 43–55. Wiley.
Tanujaya, B., Prahmana, R. C. I., & Mumu, J. (2022). Likert scale in social sciences analysis: Issues and difficulties. FWU Journal of Social Sciences, 16(4), 89–101.
