Benefit 3: Increased variability and differentiation
When it comes to understanding something as complex as a buyer or customer’s perceptions of your solution, precision is preferred. An 11-point system provides significantly more room for buyers to express differentiation than a 5-point scale. For example, while a good and very good solution may both receive a 4 rating on a 5-point scale, the same solutions would likely receive different ratings on a larger scale, such as 6 and 8. Don’t force your respondent to select the next best alternative.
Additional Tips for Rating Scales
Remember, the goal is to get the most accurate measurement of the buyer or customer’s perceptions – avoid any risk of confusion.
Keep the scale consistent throughout the interview. Don’t mix in alternate rating options or reverse the meaning of a rating (e.g.: “10” is excellent in one question but terrible in another).
Include a legend or label on your scales to clarify the value (e.g.: “10 = Excellent, 5= Average, 0 = Terrible”).
Include answer options outside of the scale, such as “Not applicable,” “Refused,” or “Unsure” to ensure an exhaustive answer set.
Evaluate the scale against what you are trying to figure out. Don’t need much differentiation? A smaller scale could work better. Are respondents struggling to quantify their answers? Maybe text answers would work better. Use whichever answer set will guarantee the best respondent experience while meeting your research needs.