Best–Worst Scaling: Participant Instructions
General Instructions
In this study, you will be shown small sets of words. Your job is to decide which word in the set is the most intense and which is the least intense, based on the meaning we are focusing on for that session.
You will see 4 words at a time. For each set, choose:
- The most intense word (best match to the meaning for this session).
- The least intense word (weakest match to the meaning for this session).
Focus only on the strength of the meaning.
There are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers — we are interested in your judgments. Try to make your decision quickly based on your first impression. You must choose one most intense and one least intense word for every set. If you feel two words are equally intense, pick the one you feel is slightly stronger or weaker.
Example
Meaning: 'level of spiciness in food'
Words: mild, medium, hot, spicy
Most intense: hot
Least intense: mild
Practice Items
Meaning: 'Size of an animal'
Words: tiny, huge, large, small
Most intense: huge
Least intense: tiny
Meaning: 'Speed of movement'
Words: slow, rapid, fast, sluggish
Most intense: rapid
Least intense: slow
Meaning: 'Temperature of a drink'
Words: warm, boiling, cold, hot
Most intense: boiling
Least intense: cold
Meaning: 'Positive feelings'
Words: happy, joyful, pleased, content
Most intense: joyful
Least intense: pleased
Meaning: 'Negative feelings'
Words: annoyed, furious, upset, irritated
Most intense: furious
Least intense: annoyed