The Midpoint on a Five-Point Likert-Type Scale

Abstract

Previous studies on the points of the Likert-scale format have not addressed the question of the effect on the score resulting from the use of “neutral” or “undecided” as the midpoint of a five-point scale. The present study addressed this topic with a scale on attitude toward the school board, using 389 undergraduate and 190 graduate students in education, the latter having at least one year of teaching experience, in seven geographically separated universities in the United States. The two formats of the scale were identical (strongly agree to strongly disagree) except that one scale midpoint was designated “undecided” and the midpoint of the other scale was designated as “neutral” with “undecided” as a no-answer alternative. Analysis showed differences were negligible and little if any erosion of score appears to result.