Decode Responses: 7-point Likert Scale Examples

Analyzing survey data can be complex and time-intensive.

Why?

Survey responses include both textual and numerical data, making analysis challenging. The approach needs to be adjusted, especially during the data visualization stage.

This is where a 7-point Likert Scale becomes valuable.

Using this scale helps businesses extract meaningful insights from survey data efficiently.

Additionally, survey visualization charts designed for Likert Scale data simplify the process. These pre-built, user-friendly charts enable quick and effective survey data visualization.

What is a 7-point Likert Scale?

Definition: A 7-point Likert Scale is a survey tool used to measure attitudes, opinions, or perceptions on a seven-point scale, ranging from one extreme to another (e.g., Strongly Disagree to Strongly Agree). It provides more nuanced responses than shorter scales, improving data accuracy and insight.

Why is a 7-point Likert Scale Useful?

A 7-point Likert scale is useful because it balances detail and simplicity, making it ideal for capturing nuanced opinions while maintaining reliability. Here’s why it is commonly used:

1. Increased Sensitivity – More response options allow participants to express their opinions with greater precision, capturing subtle differences in attitudes.
2. Better Reliability – Studies show that a 7-point scale improves the reliability of responses without overwhelming respondents.
3. Reduces Central Tendency Bias – Compared to a 5-point scale, it encourages more variance in responses, reducing the likelihood of neutral or middle-ground answers.
4. Enhanced Data Analysis – The wider range of responses improves the accuracy of statistical analysis, making it useful for research and decision-making.
5. Balances Simplicity & Complexity – It provides enough options to measure opinions effectively while remaining easy for respondents to understand and use.

Top 7-point Likert Scale Examples

Now, we'll discuss some 7-point Likert scale examples.

Example # 1: Customer Satisfaction

A 7-point Likert scale is ideal for measuring customer satisfaction as it allows for a more nuanced understanding of their experience. Example:

"How satisfied are you with our service?"

• 1 - Extremely Dissatisfied
• 2 - Very Dissatisfied
• 3 - Somewhat Dissatisfied
• 4 - Neutral
• 5 - Somewhat Satisfied
• 6 - Very Satisfied
• 7 - Extremely Satisfied

Example #2 Employee Engagement

Organizations use a 7-point Likert scale to assess employee engagement levels, ensuring detailed insights into workplace motivation. Example:

"I feel motivated to do my best work every day."

• 1 - Strongly Disagree
• 2 - Disagree
• 3 - Somewhat Disagree
• 4 - Neutral
• 5 - Somewhat Agree
• 6 - Agree
• 7 - Strongly Agree

3. Product Usability

Companies use this scale to gauge product usability and user experience. Example:

"The product is easy to use and meets my expectations."

• 1 - Strongly Disagree
• 2 - Disagree
• 3 - Somewhat Disagree
• 4 - Neutral
• 5 - Somewhat Agree
• 6 - Agree
• 7 - Strongly Agree

4. Service Quality

Service-based industries use a 7-point Likert scale to measure service quality perceptions. Example:

"How would you rate the quality of service you received?"

• 1 - Extremely Poor
• 2 - Very Poor
• 3 - Poor
• 4 - Neutral
• 5 - Good
• 6 - Very Good
• 7 - Excellent

5. Website Experience

Businesses analyze website user experience with this scale. Example:

"The website was easy to navigate and provided the information I needed."

• 1 - Strongly Disagree
• 2 - Disagree
• 3 - Somewhat Disagree
• 4 - Neutral
• 5 - Somewhat Agree
• 6 - Agree
• 7 - Strongly Agree

6. Learning Effectiveness

Educational institutions use a 7-point Likert scale to measure learning effectiveness. Example:

"The training session provided valuable knowledge and skills."

• 1 - Strongly Disagree
• 2 - Disagree
• 3 - Somewhat Disagree
• 4 - Neutral
• 5 - Somewhat Agree
• 6 - Agree
• 7 - Strongly Agree

7. Customer Loyalty

Companies measure customer loyalty using this scale. Example:

"I am likely to continue purchasing from this brand."

• 1 - Strongly Disagree
• 2 - Disagree
• 3 - Somewhat Disagree
• 4 - Neutral
• 5 - Somewhat Agree
• 6 - Agree
• 7 - Strongly Agree

How to Analyze the 7-Point Likert Scale?

Excel is a widely used tool for data visualization among businesses and professionals.

However, it does not provide built-in examples of a 7-point Likert Scale.

That doesn’t mean you need to stop using Excel.

By integrating third-party add-ins like ChartExpo, you can enhance Excel’s capabilities and create visually appealing, insightful charts.

Why Choose ChartExpo?

ChartExpo is a powerful Excel add-in designed to simplify data visualization.

With a vast collection of pre-built, eye-catching chart types, it transforms complex, raw data into clear and engaging visual stories.

This tool allows you to generate professional-quality charts in just a few clicks, making data interpretation easier than ever.

One of its standout features is the ability to create Likert Charts effortlessly, ensuring that even non-technical users can analyze and understand survey responses with ease.

Steps to Create a 7-Point Likert Scale in Excel:

1. Open your Excel application.
2. Install ChartExpo Add-in for Excel from Microsoft AppSource to create interactive visualizations.
3. Select Likert Scale Chart from the list of charts.
4. Select your data
5. Click on the “Create Chart from Selection”? button.
6. Customize your chart properties to add a header, axis, legends, and other required information.
7. Export your chart and share it with your audience.

The following video will help you to create a Likert Scale Chart in Microsoft Excel.

Steps to Create a 7-Point Likert Scale in Google Sheets:

1. Open your Google Sheets application.
2. Install ChartExpo Add-on for Google Sheets from Google Workspace Marketplace.
3. Select Likert Scale Chart from the list of charts.
4. Fill out the necessary fields
5. Click on the Create Chart button.
6. Customize your chart properties to add a header, axis, legends, and other required information.
7. Export your chart and share it with your audience.

The following video will help you to create a Likert Scale Chart in Google Sheets.

Steps to Create a 7-Point Likert Scale in Power BI:

1. Open your Power BI Desktop or Web.
2. From the Power BI Visualizations pane, expand the three dots at the bottom and select “Get more visuals.”
3. Search for “Likert Scale Chart by ChartExpo” on the AppSource
4. Add the custom visual
5. Select your data and configure the chart settings to create the chart
6. Customize your chart properties to add a header, axis, legends, and other required information.
7. Share the chart with your audience.

The following video will help you to create a Likert Scale Chart in Microsoft Power BI.

Advantages and Disadvantages of the 7-Point Likert Scale

Advantages of a 7-Point Likert Scale

A 7-point Likert scale is widely used in surveys to capture detailed responses, providing better insights for decision-making.

More Precision & Sensitivity

With seven response options, respondents can express their opinions with greater accuracy, capturing subtle variations in attitudes. This granularity helps in identifying small yet meaningful differences in sentiment that a 5-point scale might overlook.

Better Data Accuracy

By offering a broader range of choices, the scale reduces response bias and increases the reliability of collected data. A well-calibrated scale helps ensure that respondents select the option that truly reflects their views, leading to more meaningful insights.

Improved Differentiation

The extra response options enable finer distinctions between agreement or satisfaction levels, allowing researchers to conduct a more detailed analysis of opinions. This is especially useful in fields like customer satisfaction and behavioral research, where subtle differences matter.

Balanced Neutral Option

Including a midpoint option ensures that respondents who feel neutral about a statement can express it rather than being forced into a positive or negative stance. This prevents skewed data and provides a more accurate representation of overall sentiment.

Enhanced Decision-Making

With richer and more nuanced data, businesses and researchers can make well-informed decisions based on detailed customer or employee feedback. The ability to detect subtle trends or shifts in sentiment allows for more precise strategy adjustments and better forecasting.

Disadvantages of a 7-Point Likert Scale

While effective, the 7-point Likert scale has some drawbacks that can impact survey results and respondent experience.

Increased Cognitive Load

Having seven choices can sometimes overwhelm respondents, making it harder for them to distinguish between similar options. This cognitive burden may lead to frustration or guessing, ultimately resulting in inconsistent or less reliable answers.

Longer Response Time

More options require respondents to think more before selecting an answer, which can slow down the survey process. This added effort may cause respondent fatigue, reducing engagement and increasing the likelihood of rushed or random responses.

Potential for Overcomplication

For straightforward questions, a 5-point scale may be sufficient, and using a 7-point scale might add unnecessary complexity without improving data quality. If respondents struggle to perceive meaningful differences between scale points, the additional options may become redundant.

Risk of Misinterpretation

Different respondents may interpret the scale differently, making it difficult to compare responses accurately across a diverse audience. Cultural and personal differences in perception can lead to varied understandings of the middle or extreme points on the scale.

Higher Dropout Rates

Surveys that are too detailed or take too long to complete may lead to lower participation rates, affecting the overall quality and quantity of collected data. Respondents may abandon the survey if they find it tedious, reducing the overall effectiveness of data collection.

7-point Likert scale - FAQs

What are the labels for a 7-point Likert scale?

A 7-point Likert scale typically includes the following labels to capture a range of opinions:

1. Strongly Disagree
2. Disagree
3. Somewhat Disagree
4. Neutral
5. Somewhat Agree
6. Agree
7. Strongly Agree

Depending on the context, variations may include labels like "Very Poor" to "Excellent" for rating experiences or "Never" to "Always" for frequency-based questions.

Is 5 or 7 points better for a Likert scale?

The choice between a 5-point and a 7-point Likert scale depends on the level of detail needed:

• 5-Point Scale: This is Simpler, reduces cognitive load, and is easier for respondents to interpret. Best for general surveys where fine distinctions are not critical.
• 7-Point Scale: This provides more granularity and sensitivity, helping capture subtle differences in opinions. Ideal for research requiring detailed analysis.

If respondents can distinguish between options effectively, a 7-point scale is better for precision. However, a 5-point scale may be preferable for ease of use and quicker responses.

Wrap Up

Understanding survey data can be overwhelming and time-consuming.

Why?

Survey data often includes both text and numbers, making analysis challenging. A strategic approach is essential, especially for data visualization.

This is where the Likert Scale proves useful.

It enables businesses to extract actionable insights efficiently without wasting time.

For an effortless experience, consider using ChartExpo, a highly trusted add-in with a user-friendly interface suitable for all skill levels.

Easily create a 7-point Likert Scale with ready-made, visually appealing charts without hassle or wasted effort.