Nonsense data must not be interpreted, but reported verbatim. Don't guess at an individual's meaning. Learn from your mistakes. The choice to assign zeros and negatives to numbered scales is up to the evaluator. One simple consideration is that a scale with more than nine points will need two spaces for each response when data are entered into a computer.
Most respondents choose a portion of the scale's continuum and use it.
Either scale will produce about the same amount of variability. Be sure you're clear in your instructions about their meanings. Inc. ISSN 1077-5315. Articles appearing in the Journal become the property of the Journal. Single copies of articles may be reproduced in electronic or print form for use in educational or training activities.