Posted by Dr. P K SInha on April 08, 2000 at 03:37:35:
In Reply to: 4-pt satisfaction scale vs. 5-pt scale posted by MC on March 14, 2000 at 14:25:35:
In India, there have been incidences of worries in both cases. While it is true that a 4-pt
scale forces response, it becomes necessary to use it in situations where the respondent
is subject to law of averages and hence uses the middle point in a 5-pt scale. It happens
especially in case of satisfaction surveys or subjects that are social tabbos, such as sex,
AIDS. Such a behviour is found more in women than among men. This also happens
among respondents who are not "research savvy" in tha they have not been exposed
to questioning.
Therefore, it is advisable to consider the subject and the respose nature of the sample
before deciding on a 4-pt or a 5-pt scale. The pre-testing will help.