Bipolarity … or not? Some Conceptual Problems Relating to Bipolar Rating Scales

Abstract

Bipolar rating scales nd considerable use in educational research, whether in formal instruments or as ad hoc scales produced by respondents (for example, in elicited repertory grids), and the data generated are often subjected to statistical analysis. This article examines the concept of bipolarity from primarily a linguistic perspective, taking particular inspiration from Lyons's contributions to the eld and from the much earlier work of Ogden. It is argued that the conceptual quality of bipolar scales may be open to serious question, thus rendering statistical and qualitative analyses more problematic than many would prefer.

‘Student experience’ surveys: some methodological considerations and an empirical investigation

“…There are simple negations (e.g. happy/not happy), oppositions (happy/sad) and hybrids of negation and opposition (happy/ unhappy) where the nature of the contrariety is unclear: for a discussion, see Yorke (2001). The three different contrast terms to 'happy' seem to have differing valencies which could influence the way in which a respondent reacts.…”

“…Smith (2004) notes that the selection of a 'don't know' response (which, along with other kinds of response, is often treated as an item's mid-point) is influenced by culture. Yorke (2001) demonstrated the problematic nature of the mid-point on bipolar rating scales, such as in the semantic differential (Osgood, Suci, and Tannenbaum 1957) and in various repertory grid studies in which the scales are anchored by oppositional constructs. Some problems remain when Likert items are scaled from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree', since the mid-point can be used to accommodate not only true neutrality, but also ambivalence, indifference, the non-applicability of the item to the respondent, and the respondent's inability to make a meaningful response.…”

Identifying viewpoints on innovation in low-input and organic dairy supply chains: A Q-methodological study

“…This peculiar scale was used since -in a pilot exercise -the participants voiced out their difficulties if they were forced to allocate a negative ranking to an innovation. Following Yorke (2001), unidirectional scales may be justified in similar cases. By cross-comparing and placing the statements in the score sheet, each respondent had the opportunity to reveal their own patterns of subjectivity.…”

Hierarchical bipolar fuzzy queries: Towards more human consistent flexible queries

“…For a more general discussion on such types of scales, in a more general context of psychology and cognition, cf. Yorke [18].…”