What is a Likert scale primarily used for?

A Likert scale is primarily used to measure attitudes, opinions, or perceptions by allowing respondents to express their level of agreement or disagreement with a given statement. Typically, this scale presents a range of options, such as "strongly agree," "agree," "neutral," "disagree," and "strongly disagree." By quantifying subjective beliefs and feelings, researchers can gather valuable insights into how individuals feel about various topics, making it a widely used tool in surveys and questionnaires, particularly in social science and market research.

The focus of the Likert scale is on the nuances of opinion formation rather than just binary choices, which enhances the richness of the data collected and allows for more detailed analysis. It provides a way to understand the intensity of feelings towards a subject, which is crucial for deriving meaningful conclusions from survey responses.