Effect of nonlinear transformations on a Likert scale

Extract: The analysis of data collected from behavioral assessment instruments is typically conducted using parametric statistics, with little or no reference given to the underlying nature of the scale being used. If the nature of the distances between the scale points is not understood, the concep...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inEvaluation & the health professions Vol. 6; no. 4; pp. 483 - 491
Main Authors Baggaley, Andrew R, Hull, Alan L
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.1983
Subjects
Behavioral sciences
Clinical Clerkship
Clinical Competence
data analysis
Education, Medical, Undergraduate
Factor Analysis, Statistical
measurement
Measurement instruments
Michigan
rating scales
statistical analysis
Statistical measurement
Michigan
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Summary:Extract: The analysis of data collected from behavioral assessment instruments is typically conducted using parametric statistics, with little or no reference given to the underlying nature of the scale being used. If the nature of the distances between the scale points is not understood, the concept of normality of the distribution becomes clouded. An empirical approach to studying this problem was developed, using responses to a clinical performance evaluation instrument that uses a four-point behaviorally-anchored scale. Various combinations of nonlinear transformations were applied to the evaluation responses. The factorial structure of the fifteen items constituting the evaluation form was minimally affected by the transformations, suggesting that parametric statistics can be applied to behaviorally-anchored rating scales. (author)
ISSN:0163-2787
1552-3918
DOI:10.1177/016327878300600408