[NIFL-HEALTH:3476] Re: likert scales for low-literacy readers

From: Carol Parks Bani (parksban@email.unc.edu)
Date: Thu Nov 29 2001 - 17:35:11 EST 

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From: Carol Parks Bani <parksban@email.unc.edu>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3476] Re: likert scales for low-literacy readers
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I actually have had very good success in administering BOTH lengthy and
Likert-scale surveys to low literacy populations.  I believe this has
been
largely related to the relevancy of the questions and intent of the
survey
for the group itself.

Carol Parks Bani

Dwyoho@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 11/29/2001 9:17:33 AM Eastern Standard Time,
> havey@emory.edu writes:
>
>
>
>> .  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.
>
> With many low literacy readers, it isn't subtle variations that are
> the problem, but the fact that a likert scale was used to begin with.
> Also, rarely will a low-literacy reader make the effort to read the
> directions.
>
> Deborah W. Yoho
> Co-moderator, NIFL Health Literacy Discussion Group
> Chief Executive Officer
> Greater Columbia Literacy Council
> 921 Woodrow Street
> Columbia, SC  29205
> 803/765-2555   dwyoho@aol.com

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I actually have had very good success in administering BOTH lengthy and
<br>Likert-scale surveys to low literacy populations.&nbsp; I believe this
has been
<br>largely related to the relevancy of the questions and intent of the
survey
<br>for the group itself.
<p>Carol Parks Bani
<p>Dwyoho@aol.com wrote:
<blockquote TYPE=CITE><font face="Times New Roman"><font size=+0>In a message
dated 11/29/2001 9:17:33 AM Eastern Standard Time, havey@emory.edu writes:</font></font>
<br>&nbsp;
<br>&nbsp;
<blockquote TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>.&nbsp;
My suspicion is that people with low literacy may</font></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>be more likely
to choose extreme options on likert scales, possibly because the</font></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>subtle variations
between the choices get a little confusing.</font></font></font></blockquote>

<p><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000"><font size=+0>With
many low literacy readers, it isn't subtle variations that are the problem,
but the fact that a likert scale was used to begin with.&nbsp; Also, rarely
will a low-literacy reader make the effort to read the directions.</font></font></font>
<p><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>Deborah W. Yoho</font></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>Co-moderator,
NIFL Health Literacy Discussion Group</font></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>Chief Executive
Officer</font></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>Greater Columbia
Literacy Council</font></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>921 Woodrow
Street</font></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>Columbia, SC&nbsp;
29205</font></font></font>
<br><font face="Arial"><font color="#000000"><font size=-1>803/765-2555&nbsp;&nbsp;
dwyoho@aol.com</font></font></font></blockquote>
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