The Neutral Point on a Likert Scale

Abstract

It was hypothesized that the exclusion of a neutral point will not significantly affect an individual's composite score on a Likert-type scale. A sample of 200 undergraduates at Memphis State University was drawn from upper division sociology courses. Four unique arrangements of the Comrey and Newmeyer Radicalism-Conservatism scale (both forms A and B) were administered randomly with four and five response alternatives. A comparison of each S's composite score on form A with his composite score on form B for the entire sample showed no significant difference, thus confirming the null hypothesis. However, when dependent comparisons were made, taking into consideration the different scale arrangements and the number of response alternatives, significant differences emerged. These findings were contradicted by the independent comparisons which were made by holding form and position of scale administration constant. These polarized findings raise questions concerning the issue of awareness and sensitization to response alternatives.

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