---
url: "https://questionstar.com/principles-of-survey-research/chapter-2/slide-062.html"
title: "Labeling the Scale Points"
type: "lehrbuch-slide"
chapter: 2
chapterTitle: "Survey: Measurement and Scaling"
slide: 62
---

# Labeling the Scale Points

*Should every scale point be labeled — or are a few selected points enough?*

**5. Labeling the Scale Points**

Not every point needs to be labeled — what matters is avoiding ambiguity and clearly naming both poles (and, with an odd number, the midpoint).

Should every scale point be labeled — or are a few selected points enough?

### All or just some?

No clear evidence that labeling **all** points is better than only **selected** ones — the research shows no substantial difference.

### Too much confuses

Too many, too finely differentiated labels can confuse respondents when terms can barely be told apart (e.g. "somewhat positive" vs. "fairly positive").

### Decisive: clarity

**Avoid ambiguity.** Clearly name both **poles** , and with an odd number also the **midpoint** — it must be clear which continuum the scale represents.

### Little space

Reduced labeling is especially useful with **sliders** or **matrix questions** , where full labeling quickly becomes cluttered.

---

*Slide 62 of 274 · Chapter 2: Survey: Measurement and Scaling · Principles of Survey Research · Dr. Paul Marx*