st: parametric or non-parametric

[Jen McCormick <jenmc@stanford.edu>]

I have a question regarding using parametric versus non-parametric 
analyses.  
A colleague and I conducted a national survey (n=845).  Much of our data 
are from Likert-scale based questions.  We have been exploring the 
options for analysis and have found some differences of opinion in the 
literature on whether parametric methods should be used with these kind 
of data (versus nonparametric).  My question is whether anyone has had 
experience analyzing Likert scale data (5 point, anchored scale) using 
parametric methods and how you transformed the data to correct for 
non-normal distribution.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or references.

Jen
*
*   For searches and help try:
*   http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
*   http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
*   http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/