Example of using the Calculator to reverse the values of a Likert scale

A researcher creates a questionnaire and uses a 1 to 5 Likert scale for the responses. To analyze the data, the researcher must reverse some of the responses. The researcher uses the Calculator to reverse those response values so that each 1 becomes a 5 and each 2 becomes a 4.

  1. In C1, enter the following numbers: 4 3 5 1 2 1 4 3 2 5.
  2. Choose Calc > Calculator.
  3. In Store result in variable, enter C2.
  4. In Expression, enter 6-C1.
  5. Click OK.

Results

In the result column (C2), 1s and 5s are reversed, 2s and 4s are reversed, and 3s stay the same.

C1 C2
   
4 2
3 3
5 1
1 5
2 4
1 5
4 2
3 3
2 4
5 1