In this article, we'll explore how to use linear scale answer options effectively in Lyssna's unmoderated studies. Linear scales help collect detailed feedback to better understand participants' experiences.
What is a linear scale?
A linear scale is a type of question that asks participants to rate their answer along a range of values, from low to high. This is commonly used when you want to gauge the intensity of opinions, levels of agreement, or satisfaction. Participants select a point on a numerical scale, typically ranging from 1 to 5 or 1 to 10.
When to use linear scale answer options
Linear scale questions help you effectively measure and understand participants' sentiments, preferences, or levels of satisfaction. For instance, you might use a linear scale to ask participants how satisfied they were with a specific feature or how likely they are to recommend a product.
Examples of when to use linear scales:
Rate satisfaction with a new website layout on a scale of 1 to 10.
Gauge agreement with a statement like "This feature met my expectations," using a scale from "Strongly Disagree" to "Strongly Agree."
Creating linear scale questions in Lyssna
Follow these steps to create a linear scale question in your Lyssna study:
From your dashboard, click +Create study, and then Test or survey, or you can edit an existing one.
Add a question to your test. You can add a linear scale question as part of a dedicated question section or include it as a follow-up question after any task. Write a clear question for your participants to answer.
Choose Linear Scale as the answer type.
Set the range for your scale. The default range is 1 to 5, but your start value can be customized to begin from 0 or 1, and your end value can be any range between 2 and 10.
Add labels to help participants understand the scale's context. For example, label 1 as "Very difficult" and 5 as "Very easy."
Tips for effective use
Keep the scale simple: Choose a scale range that matches the type of feedback you need. A 1-5 scale is easier to process for simple preferences, while a 1-10 scale may be better for more detailed feedback.
Label start and end values clearly: Make sure participants understand what the extremes represent. Clear labels minimize confusion and improve data quality.
Use balanced wording: Make sure your question is neutral and doesn't suggest a 'right' answer. This helps participants respond honestly.
Be consistent: If you're using multiple linear scales in a single study, keep the scale ranges consistent (e.g., always use 1-5) to make it easier for participants to respond accurately.
Analyzing linear scale responses
Once your participants complete the study, you'll be able to see their responses visualized in a chart. This helps you quickly spot trends, such as areas where participants consistently rated something very high or low.
Let’s break down the results from a sample linear scale question to help you understand how to interpret them.
In this example, 10 participants were asked: 'How easy was it to navigate our website?' on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means 'Very difficult' and 5 means 'Very easy'.
Here’s how the responses were distributed:
One participant chose 1 (Very difficult), indicating they had a hard time navigating the website.
No one chose 2, suggesting no participants felt it was just slightly easier than 'very difficult'.
Two participants chose 3, meaning they found it somewhat easy, but not entirely straightforward.
Four participants chose 4, which shows that the largest group found the navigation easy.
Three participants chose 5 (Very easy), indicating a significant portion of participants felt the website was extremely easy to navigate.
The mean score is 3.80, which suggests that most users found navigation fairly easy, but there’s still room for improvement to make it more accessible for everyone. You can use this information to target specific usability issues and work towards making the website more user-friendly for those who struggled.
Look for patterns in your responses like this to understand the overall sentiment. If you notice a significant number of participants rate towards the lower end, it's an indicator that you need to make improvements in that area.
Common questions
Can I change the number of points on the scale?
Yes, you can choose how many points you'd like on your scale, such as 1-5, 1-7, or 1-10. This flexibility helps you adjust the scale to get the level of detail you need from participants' feedback.
Can I add multiple linear scale questions in one study?
Yes, you can add as many linear scale questions as you'd like to a single test. If you choose to add multiple scale questions, it's recommended to keep their scales consistent throughout your study for better comparison. If you do use different scales, be clear about what each scale represents to avoid participant confusion.
How can I ensure participants understand the scale labels?
Providing clear labels for the start and end values of your scale will help participants accurately interpret the question. For example, you can label the lower end as "Not at all likely" and the higher end as "Extremely likely" when measuring likelihood.