---
url: "https://questionstar.com/principles-of-survey-research/chapter-2/slide-059.html"
title: "Balanced or Unbalanced Scales"
type: "lehrbuch-slide"
chapter: 2
chapterTitle: "Survey: Measurement and Scaling"
slide: 59
---

# Balanced or Unbalanced Scales

*Design Question 2*

**2. Balanced vs. Unbalanced**

In general, the scale should be balanced in order to obtain objective results.

Balanced scale

Very good

Good

Neither good nor bad

Bad

Very bad

2 positive · 1 neutral · 2 negative — symmetrical.

Unbalanced scale

Extremely good

Very good

Good

Adequate

Bad

Very bad

4 positive · 2 negative — skewed toward positive judgments.

---

*Slide 59 of 274 · Chapter 2: Survey: Measurement and Scaling · Principles of Survey Research · Dr. Paul Marx*