Web Survey Bibliography

Title A Comparison of Sliding Scales with Other Scale Types in Online Surveys
Author Bayer, L. R., Thomas, R. K.
Source RC33 6th International Conference on Social Science Methodology: Recent Developments and Applications in Social Research Methodology, 2004
Year 2004
Access date 14.09.2004
Abstract We explored the operation of 4 different versions of sliding scales (“sliders”), along with a set of 6 other common scale types (10 total response scales). Specifically, we had the following response scales: Horizontal Slider Horizontal Slider – Digital feedback Vertical Slider Vertical Slider – Digital feedback Horizontal Semantic Differential Horizontal Semantic Differential - Numbered ends Vertical Semantic Differential Vertical Semantic Differential - Numbered ends Vertical Single Response Numeric Box All scale types used 7 response categories. The main survey had respondents evaluate two product concepts. Each concept had an overall measurement using 4 single-response vertically aligned scales. These served as our standard criteria to compare with our experimental scales. We randomly assigned 2634 respondents to 1 of the 10 scale types. Within each scale type were two questions, one to evaluate each product concept on a very positive to very negative dimension. Sliders took about twice as long for completion as any other scale type. Across the four different versions of slider scale, it took an average of 42.26 seconds to complete the 2 questions. Across the four different versions of semantic differential it took an average of 21.29 seconds. Although all sliders had their default position anchored at the middle of the scale, the endorsement patterns of slider and non-slider scales were significantly different, with top box endorsement more likely to occur in sliders. One consequence of this is that the average values for the slider scales were significantly higher than for those with non-slider scales. Each scale was correlated with the 4 appropriate criteria for the 2 product concepts and an average was obtained across products and criteria. All scale types were found to have fairly comparable validity coefficients (with average correlations ranging from .756 to .803). When compared to other scale types, sliding scales were found to be no better in validity than other scales, although they take longer for respondents to complete.
Year of publication2004
Bibliographic typeConferences, workshops, tutorials, presentations
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Web Survey Bibliography - Bayer, L. R. (5)