Is “Acceptable” Really Acceptable? Comparing Two Scales for Measuring Normative Evaluations in Outdoor Recreation

This research note compares the commonly used scale of “very unacceptable” to “very acceptable” with an alternative scale of “should definitely not allow” to “should definitely allow” for measuring normative evaluations. Data were obtained from 1,422 users at six sites in Hawaii, and norms were measured in questionnaires with photographs depicting increasing use densities. Responses differed statistically between scales with users feeling that there should be more people allowed than they thought were acceptable at each site. The “acceptance” scale also generated more crystallization or agreement, but lower intensity or importance of use levels than the scale based on “should.” Effect sizes, however, showed that the magnitude of these differences was small or minimal, suggesting that the “acceptance” scale may be appropriate.