A comparison of Likert scale and traditional measures of self-efficacy

This study addressed whether a Likert-type measurement format can be used as an alternative to the traditional format for measuring self-efficacy. Classical reliability, observed correlations with relevant criteria, and confirmatory factor analyses were used to assess the similarity of the two formats in a sample of 128 college students. The results indicated that Likert-type and traditional measures of self-efficacy have similar reliability-error variance, provide equivalent levels of prediction, and have similar factor structure and similar discriminability. Overall, considering both practicality and the apparent similarity of empirical results from the two methods, a Likert scale seems to offer an acceptable alternative method of measuring self-efficacy Limitations and suggestions for future research are discussed.