Comparing Likert and Slider Response Formats in Clinical Assessment

This study used a within-subjects experimental design to compare various response formats in fitting confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models. Participants responded to the 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) across four different response formats: the Likert-type scale, three types of slider response formats, and a number-entry response format. We conducted the comparison of different response formats based on item-level scores, factor structure and psychometric properties of the scale, mean comparisons across groups, and individuals’ sum scores. Similar results were observed across the different response formats with respect to factor structure, reliability, and validity of test scores. However, inconsistent results were found in terms of factorial invariance and mean differences across gender groups. Individuals’ item scores and sum scores also varied across different response formats, as did participants’ subjective evaluation of response formats in terms of perceived accuracy, enjoyment, difficulty, and mental exhaustion. We provide recommendations and discuss implications for researchers designing and conducting clinical assessments based on the findings.