Analysis of Likert-type Items: Course Evaluations

• In Event: Survey Science in Education: Methods, Analysis, and Emerging Technologies

Abstract

Cooper posed a test for polarity of step frequencies for a single Likert-type item; Hsu posited a test of disagreement. These methods are recommended for in-depth understanding of Likert-type item response distributions, with course evaluation items used as an example. As such analyses are not available in commercial packages, an easy-to-use general purpose Excel program that accomplishes all required analyses from the N and step percentages usually rendered with course evaluations is offered. It yields tests of each item’s polarity and disagreement (three alternative nulls) and the same for the summation of frequencies by scale step over all items, providing overall tests. Effect size estimates are also offered.

Authors

• John D. Morris, Florida Atlantic University

• Mary G. Lieberman, Florida Atlantic University

• Maria D. Vásquez-Colina, Florida Atlantic University