Semantic differential

A semantic differential is useful to measure what the attitude is of the respondent towards something. In a semantic differential, you have two opposing characteristics  at either end of a scale (also called a bipolar pair). This scale in the middle typically has five or seven items. When the number of items on the scale is uneven, the middle one expresses a neutral point between the two extremes. But this is not necessarily so, you can also have a scale with an even number of items - sometimes up to ten items are used in the scale.

Example of a semantic differential

Working with classes

Modifying the class names (column headers)

When you select 'Semantic differential' as the Question type, you will get an empty table with two label columns at either end, and a five-item scale in the middle:

Very much

Somewhat

Neither

Somewhat

Very much

To change these column headers, just click somewhere in the column, and then on the Edit class name button button. You can also double-click on the column header. This will make a text field appear, where you can modify the name of this class (column).

 

Adding and removing classes

If you want to add a class (column), click in the column to the right of where you want to insert it. Then press the Add class button button in the toolbar.

If you want to remove a class (column), click in the column itself and then on the Remove class button button.

Adding pairs and changing scores

Adding bipolar pairs

To add questions, go to the first row and enter the pairs in the 'Label' columns at the left and right of the table. The easiest way to come up with a bipolar pair is to write a word or concept in the first column, and to copy it in the last column and put 'not' in front.

 

Reversing the scores/values

Logframer will number the cells of the scale from 1 to the number of columns/classes. For instance, when you have a five-item scale, the cells will be numbered from 1 to 5. You can use these numbers to count how many people have chosen a particular column. Or you can use the values as scores, and calculate how well your project has done in comparison to a situation where all the beneficiaries have the maximum or minimum score (depending on whether the preferential choice is 1 or 5). The maximum and minimum scores are indicated on the right, above the table.

Minimum and maximum scores of the semantic differential

If you want to reverse the order of these scores, you can click on the Reverse button button. Instead of 1-2-3-4-5, you will get 5-4-3-2-1.

Reversing the scores on a semantic differential