On a continuous scale, respondents rate the objects by placing a mark at the appropriate position on a line that runs from one extreme of the variable to the other. The form of the continuous scale may vary considerably.
A continuous scale should not be confused with a continuous sum. A continuous sum lets the respondent give a score to items that add up to a predefined total. This question type allows respondents to add a certain weight to each item.
Continuous scale example
To create a question using a continuous scale, you will have to use the Number slider question type.
At the question settings you can define the lowest and highest value, but also the place where the indicator button starts.
What's next
- Discrete scale like counts, are numeric data that have a finite number of possible values and can only be whole numbers. Discrete data arise from observations that can only take certain numerical values. Fractions are meaningless. In some situations, mathematical functions or calculations are not possible either.
- Interval scale has intervals which each have the same interpretation and do not have a "true" zero point, therefore it is not possible to make statements about how many times higher one score is than another. One unit on the scale represents the same magnitude on the trait or characteristic being measured across the whole range of the scale.
- Likert scale questions present the respondent with a statement and asks for his/her level of agreement with the statement by selecting a point on the scale. These points have often verbal statements or numbers attached to them. The scale should be balanced between positive and negative agreement options.