Visual analogue scale

The visual analogue scale or visual analog scale (VAS) is a psychometric response scale which can be used in questionnaires. It is a measurement instrument for subjective characteristics or attitudes that cannot be directly measured. When responding to a VAS item, respondents specify their level of agreement to a statement by indicating a position along a continuous line between two end-points. This continuous (or "analogue") aspect of the scale differentiates it from discrete scales such as the Likert scale. There is evidence showing that visual analogue scales have superior metrical characteristics than discrete scales, thus a wider range of statistical methods can be applied to the measurements.^[1]

The VAS can be compared to other linear scales such as the Likert scale or Borg scale. The sensitivity and reproducibility of the results are broadly very similar, although the VAS may outperform the other scales in some cases.^[1][2]

Recent advances in methodologies for Internet-based research^[3] include the development and evaluation of visual analogue scales for use in Internet-based questionnaires.^[1]

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 U.-D. Reips and F. Funke (2008) "Interval level measurement with visual analogue scales in Internet-based research: VAS Generator." doi:10.3758/BRM.40.3.699
2. ↑ S. Grant, T. Aitchison, E. Henderson, J. Christie, S. Zare, J. McMurray, and H. Dargie (1999) A comparison of the reproducibility and the sensitivity to change of visual analogue scales, Borg scales, and Likert scales in normal subjects during submaximal exercise. Chest. 116(5):1208-17. doi:10.1378/chest.116.5.1208
3. ↑ U.-D. Reips (2006) Web-based methods. In M. Eid & E. Diener (Eds.), Handbook of multimethod measurement in psychology (pp. 73-85). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/11383-006