Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id fATEHm026968; Thu, 29 Nov 2001 09:17:48 -0500 (EST) Date: Thu, 29 Nov 2001 09:17:48 -0500 (EST) Message-Id: <3C0643AF.5FAF8FA9@emory.edu> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: Holly Avey <havey@emory.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3470] likert scales for low-literacy readers X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.5 [en] (Win95; I) Status: O Content-Length: 1350 Lines: 24 I recently tried to analyze some data I have been collecting from a low-literacy population, and I ran across an issue I suspect others already know about and have researched. I attempted to write the survey questions for my pre-test at an appropriate readability level, based on general assessments of our patient population a few years ago. Many of the questions featured likert scales for answer options. When I began to analyze the data, I discovered that it violated normal distribution assumptions. Specifically, the data seemed to cluster at the extreme answer options. My suspicion is that people with low literacy may be more likely to choose extreme options on likert scales, possibly because the subtle variations between the choices get a little confusing. Does anyone know if this phenomena has been tested empirically? If so, could you provide me with some references? Any suggestions on how to address this problem? (Maybe only offer three choices instead of five, or throw out all likert scales completely?) It does pose quite a problem when trying to use standardized instruments and compare results to other population groups. . . Thank you for your help. -- Holly Holly Avey, MPH Health Educator, Office of Health Promotion Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA Ph: 404-616-7561, Fax: 404-880-9464, E-mail: havey@emory.edu
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