Scale scores
Builds a scale score as the mean, sum or prorated sum of items, only when enough items are answered (like MEAN.n / SUM.n).
Menu: Transform → Compute Scale Score…
When should I use it?
- Turning questionnaire items into one score per person.
What are the assumptions?
- Items on the same scale and direction.
How do I run it in StatLab?
- Choose the items, the score type and the minimum number of valid items; optionally reverse some items first.
How do I read the output?
| Output | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Scale Score | New variable, valid and missing counts, mean and SD. |
Worked example
On the practice survey dataset (File → Sample dataset), this command — which the dialog's Paste button also produces — runs the procedure:
PROC trScaleScore /items=(q1 q2 q3 q4 q5) /fn=mean /rev=() /min=1 /max=5 /name=sat_mean /minValid=4.
Output tables: Scale Score.
Computed by StatLab's validated procedure code when this page was built. The example only illustrates the steps; choose variables that fit your own research question.
What are common mistakes?
- Summing items when some answers are missing — use the mean or a prorated sum.