A __ is one of the two types of scaling techniques in which there is direct comparison of stimulus objects with one another.
A) random scale
B) nonrandom scale
C) comparative scale
D) noncomparative scale
E) direct scale
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: C) comparative scale
Explanation:
Comparative scaling is a type of scaling technique used in research, particularly in marketing and psychology, where respondents are asked to compare two or more objects directly. The goal is to determine their preferences, attitudes, or perceptions in a relative sense. In this method, stimulus objects are directly compared with one another, making it possible to identify which object is more or less preferred.
For example, a respondent might be asked:
“Which do you prefer, Brand A or Brand B?”
Here, the evaluation of Brand A is directly tied to the evaluation of Brand B. This is a hallmark of comparative scaling.
There are several common types of comparative scaling techniques, including:
- Paired Comparison Scaling – Two items are compared at a time, and the respondent indicates which one is preferred.
- Rank Order Scaling – Multiple items are ranked from most to least preferred.
- Constant Sum Scaling – A fixed number of points are distributed among items to reflect their relative importance.
- Q-sort Scaling – Items are sorted into categories based on specified criteria.
Advantages of Comparative Scaling:
- It is easier for respondents to make judgments when they are only comparing two items at a time.
- More discrimination between items is possible, especially in cases where small differences matter.
- Helps uncover subtle preferences that might be missed with noncomparative methods.
Limitations:
- Results are ordinal, not absolute — they show preference order, not the magnitude of preference.
- Not suitable when you need independent evaluations of each item.
In contrast, noncomparative scales (like Likert or semantic differential scales) require respondents to evaluate each object independently, without directly comparing it to others.
Thus, the correct answer is C) comparative scale, as it specifically involves direct comparison between stimulus objects.