meerpuntsschaal

Meerpuntsschaal, in Dutch, refers to a rating scale used in questionnaire design that offers respondents multiple response options to indicate the degree or intensity of a given attribute. The term encompasses scales with more than two points, allowing finer discrimination than dichotomous (yes/no) items. Common implementations include five- and seven-point scales, though scales can range from four to eleven points. The endpoints are usually labeled to provide guidance (for example, strongly disagree to strongly agree, or very dissatisfied to very satisfied).

Variants: A widely used subtype is the Likert-type scale, where respondents indicate level of agreement with a statement. Another form is the semantic differential, rating a concept on a set of bipolar adjectives. Some meerpuntsschaal formats are numeric rating scales that simply assign a number to reflect intensity.

Advantages include greater sensitivity and more information per item, easier to capture gradations in attitudes, and improved reliability when handled properly. Disadvantages include potential biases such as central tendency and acquiescence, the assumption of equidistant intervals by some analyses, and the need for careful item construction to avoid ambiguity. The design can influence responses; therefore, consistency in labeling and order across items is recommended.

Design considerations: choose an appropriate number of points, decide whether to use an odd or even number of points, craft clear, non-overlapping labels, and pilot-test the instrument. Cultural and language differences may affect interpretation of anchors. Proper statistical treatment often depends on research goals and the measurement model.