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

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