5/7 point Likert scales aren't always the best option

Some research methods are used by default. Even if they undermine the validity of conclusions, authors no longer justify the use of default approaches and reviewers no longer query them. One such default is the use of bipolar ordinal 5/7-point survey answer formats, often incorrectly referred to as 5/7-point “Likert scales”. This Viewpoint argues that default answer formats should be replaced by thorough assessments of the benefit-to-cost ratio of alternative answer formats for every survey question asked. Benefits of answer formats include enabling respondents to meaningfully express themselves, while keeping respondent burden low. Costs include reducing data quality by introducing bias or over-burdening respondents, or by collecting data at a scale level that limits permissible statistical procedures.

Original viewpoint:
Dolnicar, S. (2021). 5/7 point Likert scales aren't always the best option. Their validity is undermined by lack of reliability, response style bias, long completion times and limitations to permissible statistical procedures. Annals of Tourism Research, 91: 103297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2021...

Open access pre-print:
https://doi.org/10.31235/osf.io/8p4yc