What Is Floor and Ceiling Effect

Ceiling or floor effects occur when the tests or scales are relatively easy or difficult such that substantial proportions of individuals obtain either maximum or minimum scores and that the true extent of their abilities cannot be determined. Ceiling and floor effects, subsequently, causes problems in data analysis.

What is ceiling effect and floor effect in research?

In research, a ceiling effect occurs when there is some upper limit on a survey or questionnaire and a large percentage of respondents score near this upper limit. The opposite of this is known as a floor effect.

What is ceiling effect?

a situation in which the majority of values obtained for a variable approach the upper limit of the scale used in its measurement. For example, a test whose items are too easy for those taking it would show a ceiling effect because most people would achieve or be close to the highest possible score.