A rating scale is a tool used to measure opinions, attitudes, or behaviors by assigning numerical values to different levels of response. Commonly used in surveys and assessments, it allows respondents to express their feelings or evaluations on a specific topic, such as product quality or customer satisfaction. Rating scales can vary in format, including Likert scales, which typically range from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree," or numerical scales from 1 to 10. These scales help researchers and organizations quantify subjective data, making it easier to analyze and interpret results.