What is a Likert type scale?

A Likert-type scale resembles a Likert scale—the respondent is presented with a series of statements, and they select their response from a set of ranked options.

However, for a true Likert scale, the respondent rates their level of agreement with these statements using a 5- or 7-point scale. Likert-type scales may instead ask people to rate constructs like frequency, satisfaction, or likelihood.

An example of a true Likert scale item is as follows:

Please rate your agreement with the following statement: I am most productive in the morning. 

  • Strongly disagree
  • Disagree
  • Neither agree nor disagree
  • Agree
  • Strongly Agree

A Likert-type scale may include items such as the following:

How frequently do you wake up before 8 a.m.?

  • Never
  • Rarely
  • Sometimes
  • Often
  • Always