back to dictionary
Likert Scale
The Likert Scale is one of the most widely used measurement methods in surveys and questionnaires within the field of Human Resources. Its main objective is to assess the degree of agreement or disagreement of individuals with a statement, capturing not only the response but also its intensity. Its name comes from psychologist Rensis Likert, who developed this methodology in the 1930s as a way to measure attitudes in a structured and quantifiable manner.
It typically consists of a range of 5 to 7 options, although it can be adapted depending on needs. A common example would be:
- Strongly disagree
- Disagree
- Neither agree nor disagree
- Agree
- Strongly agree
In the HR context, the Likert Scale is especially useful for measuring intangible variables related to the employee experience such as:
- Job satisfaction
- Organizational climate
- Engagement
- Corporate culture
- Leadership
- Well-being
Thanks to its structure, it enables consistent and comparable data collection across teams, departments, or time periods.
Types of Likert Scales
Although the five-point scale is the most common, there are variations:
- 3-point scale: simplified (agree / neutral / disagree)
- 5-point scale: the most widely used, balancing precision and simplicity.
- 7-point scale: provides greater sensitivity in analysis.
- Even-numbered scales (no neutral point): force respondents to take a position.
In People Analytics, the Likert Scale is a key tool for transforming the employee voice into actionable insights.
