Chapter Six
More Details on Interpreting HIPSYS Data
Circle Size, Response Values and Cut-Off Points
The size of the circle indicates the strength of the image perspective. That is, those who responded to the relevant questionnaire had a definite opinion one way or the other in that they either agreed or disagreed with the statements made in the questionnaire. If the number of positive responses exceeds the number of negative responses by 25% or more, a plus is recorded. Similarly, if the number of negative responses exceeds the number of positive responses by 25% or more, a minus is recorded.
Each time an overall "Neither Agree nor Disagree" response is recorded, the circle shrinks. Therefore, the smaller the circle, the more overall "Neither" or noncommittal responses were recorded. It is the radius of a Circle that diminishes. For example, if there were ten questions in a particular facet, each overall "Neither" response would diminish the size of the relevant circle by ten percent of its radius. If there were eight questions in the facet, each "Neither" would reduce the radius by one-eighth, and so on.
If all questions in a particular facet had "Neither" responses, there would be no Circle for that particular image perspective. However, the Histogram would show 100% ‘N’, a solid black line, and the Assist display would show the total number of "Neither" responses and the percentage of 100%. (Calculations regarding the placement of Circles are given in Appendix to Chapter 3 of the HIPSYS Methodology Manual.)
"Agree" and "Disagree" responses can be good or bad; that is, positive or negative. These are shown by pluses and minuses inside the image perspective circles. (For a fuller explanation of how symbols are located in a HIPSYS display, see Chapter Eleven.)
In a corporate or personal image (SI.PRO.PER) class of HIPSYS (see Chapter Seven) a minus in a Projected Image circle need not necessarily indicate that one is projecting a bad image with regard to a particular statement in the questionnaire. It may, but depending on how the question is worded, it may mean that one is just failing to project a good one.
Polarized Responses and How to Change the Cut-off Percentages
A "Polarised" response is where at least 30% of respondents agree with a statement and at least 30% disagree, and the difference is less than 25%. A "Polarised" result is indicated by a zero ("0"). In the HIPSYS program, 30% Agree and 30% Disagree is referred to as "Significant" and the difference of 25% as the "Cut-Off".
If a consultant wishes to change these values to different percentages, (say, 40% either side with a difference of at least 20%), it can easily be done.
Simply edit the file "Hipsys.ini" found in the default HIPSYS installation folder (normally "C:\Hipsys") using a text based editor (say "Notepad") and add the following configuration settings. Note: The following instructions assume you are using Notepad.
Click on File, then Open.
Double click on C:\ and scroll down to "HIPSYS" and click on it.
In the File Name box you will see "*.txt"; delete the "txt" and type in "ini" so that it now reads *.ini.
Click on OPEN.
Now click on HIPSYS and "ini" and OPEN.
Then click on HIPSYS and OPEN.
Scroll down to the end of the last line and place the cursor at the end of the last line by clicking the mouse there. Then press Enter.
Type in "Significant" = 0.4" and Enter.
Type in "Cut Off = 0.2" and Enter.
Click on File then Save then File and Exit.
If you wish to know what the values and cut offs are for the scoring of questions, click on the HIPSYS icon then Help. The on-line Help has all those details available, which you may access by clicking the mouse on the item that is of interest to you.