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The study investigated whether the change of response order in a Likert-type scale altered participant responses and scale characteristics. Response order is the order in which options of a Likert-type scale are offered. The sample included 490 college students and 368 junior high school students. Scale means with different response orders were compared. Structural equation modeling was used to test the invariance of interitem correlations, covariances, and factor structure across scale formats and educational levels. The results indicated that response order had no substantial influence on participant responses and scale characteristics. Motivating participants and avoiding ambiguous items may minimize possible effects of scale format on participant responses and scale properties.
Weng et al. (2000) studied this question.