RATING SCALES :
“meets one half-way” and a 2 before “slightly reserved”
(29).
Graphic rating scale. What is now commonly known as
the Graphic Rating Scale is a combination of the last two
forms (55). The straight line represents the range of the
ability, and the descriptive phrases, placed beneath it, denote
 certain points in this range. This gives the rater freedom
 to make as fine gradations in judgment as he cares to,
instead of limiting him to five steps, and at the same time
does not deprive him of these phrases as aids in making his
judgments definite and concrete. The ratings can later be
expressed as numerical values by the use of a calibrated
scoring stencil.
Figure 10 is an example of a graphic rating scale for insurance
 salesmen.
Ordinarily a graphic rating scale is printed in such a way
that the judge must rate each man on all abilities before
passing to the next man. The Dennison Manufacturing
Company makes use of a form in which the judge considers
one ability at a time, rating all the men on that ability before
 proceeding to the next one. The judge is thus almost
forced to make a man-to-man comparison. This plan combines
 the characteristics of the graphic scale and the orderof-merit
 method. A portion of that scale is given in Figures
IT and 12.
The following chapter is devoted to a comparison of the
relative merits of different rating methods. It also contains
suggestions regarding the construction of graphic rating
scales, the use of the scales, and the treatment of the data
they yield.

IY