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Relationship Between Perceived and Actual Frequency Represented by Common Rating Scale Labels.

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Title: Relationship Between Perceived and Actual Frequency Represented by Common Rating Scale Labels.
Authors: Woltz, Dan J.1 dan.woltz@utah.edu, Gardner, Michael K.1, Kircher, John C.1, Burrow-Sanchez, Jason J.1
Source: Psychological Assessment. Dec2012, Vol. 24 Issue 4, p995-1007. 13p.
Subject Terms: *Research, *Sensory perception, Self-report inventories, Signal frequency estimation, Likert scale
Abstract: Two experiments investigated the relationship between subjective interpretation of frequency terms and corresponding objective values. Evidence supported the existence of a nonlinear relationship that is well described by a logarithmic function. The general form of this relationship was consistent across different methods of eliciting subjective frequency estimates and different frequency response scales. These findings, in combination with prior research, suggest that individuals can be highly accurate in reporting the frequency of prior experiences but that subjective reports using common frequency response scales and scoring methods should not be taken to reflect equal intervals of actual frequency. This bears similarity to psychophysical relationships observed between sensation and stimulus intensity, and it has implications for the interpretation and analysis of self-report measures that use Likert-type frequency response scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Education Research Complete
Description
Abstract:Two experiments investigated the relationship between subjective interpretation of frequency terms and corresponding objective values. Evidence supported the existence of a nonlinear relationship that is well described by a logarithmic function. The general form of this relationship was consistent across different methods of eliciting subjective frequency estimates and different frequency response scales. These findings, in combination with prior research, suggest that individuals can be highly accurate in reporting the frequency of prior experiences but that subjective reports using common frequency response scales and scoring methods should not be taken to reflect equal intervals of actual frequency. This bears similarity to psychophysical relationships observed between sensation and stimulus intensity, and it has implications for the interpretation and analysis of self-report measures that use Likert-type frequency response scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:10403590
DOI:10.1037/a0028693