Likert scale
a type of direct attitude measure that consists of statements reflecting strong positive or negative evaluations of an object. Five-point scales are common and a neutral middle point may or may not be included. For example, an assessment item using a Likert scale response format (i.e., a Likert-type question or Likert-type item) might include the following statement choices: strongly disagree, disagree, neither disagree nor agree, agree, and strongly agree. The respondent chooses the option most representative of his or her view (e.g., on whether same-sex marriages should be permitted) and these ratings are summed to provide a total attitude score for a topic of interest. Also called Likert summated rating procedure. [Rensis Likert (1903–1981), U.S. psychologist]