Question for research and measurement experts,
Are any of you concerned about the unbalanced 4-point rating scale being used by the AERA to evaluate the recent annual conference? Here is the unbalanced scale they are using:
1=dissatisfied
2=somewhat satisfied
3=satisfied
4=very satisfied.
It seems pretty convenient and unfair to have 3 of 4 responses indicating satisfaction and only one indicating dissatisfaction in my professional opinion.
I informed the Executive Director of the AERA about this problem two years ago and she did not make a change to a recommended scale.
I had recommended that they use one of the two following scales:
1=Very dissatisfied
2=Somewhat dissatisfied
3=Somewhat satisfied
4=Very satisfied
or
1=Very dissatisfied
2=Somewhat dissatisfied
3=Neutral
4=Somewhat satisfied
5=Very satisfied
If you agree with me about this scaling problem, do you have any suggestions about how to get the AERA to change their scale?
Cheers,
Burke Johnson