UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

The semantic differential scale presents a concept, such as “online learning,” followed by pairs of opposite adjectives separated by a series of points, for example good–bad or useful–useless. Respondents mark positions between each pair, indicating their feelings about the concept. This method captures the connotative meaning that people associate with the object. Therefore, the bipolar adjective rating described in the stem is known as the semantic differential scale.

Option A:
The Thurstone scale uses statements with predetermined scale values and requires experts to judge favourability; respondents then indicate which statements they agree with. It does not use simple bipolar adjective pairs. Hence, it is not the right completion.

Option B:
The Likert scale uses agree–disagree statements rather than adjective pairs and sums responses across items to form an attitude score. It is different in structure and purpose from the semantic differential. So this option is not correct here.

Option C:
Option C, semantic differential scale, focuses on the psychological meaning of concepts through several adjective continua. Its visual layout and bipolar nature match the description in the question, making this option correct.

Option D:
The Bogardus scale measures social distance by asking whether respondents would accept members of other groups in increasingly close relationships. It does not use adjective pairs, so it is not the scale referred to in the stem.

The semantic differential scale measures attitudes by presenting bipolar adjective pairs anchored at the ends of a continuum, and respondents mark their position between them. It captures the connotative meaning of concepts along dimensions like evaluation, potency and activity. This technique yields interval-like data and allows researchers to profile the image of an object or idea. Therefore, a scale using opposite adjectives is correctly called the semantic differential scale.

Option A:
Likert scales ask respondents to indicate degrees of agreement or disagreement with statements and typically use ordered categories like strongly agree to strongly disagree, not bipolar adjective pairs. Thus, they do not match the stem.

Option B:
Thurstone scales use statements previously judged for favourableness and assign scale values; respondents indicate agreement, and their attitude score is computed from these values. They are not based on simple adjective pairs along a line.

Option C:
The semantic differential approach provides visual continua between adjectives, allowing nuanced responses and analysis of multiple dimensions of meaning. Because the stem highlights pairs like “good–bad” and “strong–weak”, this option fits precisely and is correct.

Option D:
Rating-by-ranking is not a standard name for any classical scaling method and does not describe the specific bipolar adjective format of the semantic differential.