What type of scale requires subjects to rank products in order of preference?

The rank order scale is specifically designed for situations where participants are asked to arrange a list of items, such as products, in a sequence that reflects their preferences. This type of scale goes beyond simply rating each item; instead, it captures the relative positioning of each product based on individual choice. By requiring respondents to rank the items, researchers can gather insightful data on the strength of preferences and the distinctions between the items.

In contrast, the Likert scale typically measures attitudes or perceptions through agreement or disagreement on a statement, using a numerical scale. The semantic differential scale evaluates the meanings assigned to a concept through a range of bipolar adjectives, allowing respondents to indicate their feelings toward a subject in a more nuanced manner. The behavioral intention scale predicts the likelihood of a participant to engage in a specific behavior, often reflecting future actions rather than ranking preferences directly. Thus, the unique ability of the rank order scale to determine the preferred order of options makes it the correct answer for the question asked.