QUILANG, TRICIA Q. - Levels of Measurement

Levels of measurement, also called scales of measurement, used to categorize different types of
data and tell you how precisely variables are recorded. In scientific research, a variable is
anything that can be measured on different values across your data set (e.g., height or test
scores).
 Nominal: the data can only be categorized

 Ordinal: the data can be categorized and ranked
 Interval: the data can be categorized, ranked, and evenly spaced
 Ratio: the data can be categorized, ranked, evenly spaced, and has a natural zero.
1. Nominal scale: A scale used to label variables that have no quantitative values.
Ex: Gender: Male, female, Eye color: Blue, green, brown, Hair color: Blonde, black, brown, grey, other, Blood
type: O-, O+, A-, A+, B-, B+, AB-, AB+, Political Preference: Republican, Democrat, Independent, Place
you live: City, suburbs, rural
Variables that can be measured on a nominal scale have the following properties:
-They have no natural order. For example, we can’t arrange eye colors in order of worst to best or lowest
to highest.
-Categories are mutually exclusive. For example, an individual can’t have both blue and brown eyes.
Similarly, an individual can’t live both in the city and in a rural area.
-The only number we can calculate for these variables are counts. For example, we can count how many
individuals have blonde hair, how many have black hair, how many have brown hair, etc.
-The only measure of central tendency we can calculate for these variables is the mode. The mode tells
us which category had the most counts. For example, we could find which eye color occurred most
frequently.
-The most common way that nominal scale data is collected is through a survey. Using this data, the
researcher can find out how many people live in each area, as well as which area is the most common to
live in. (City, Suburbs, Rural)
2. Ordinal scale: A scale used to label variables that have a natural order, but no quantifiable difference
between values.
Ex: Satisfaction: Very unsatisfied, unsatisfied, neutral, satisfied, very satisfied, Socioeconomic status:
Low income, medium income, high income, Workplace status: Entry Analyst, Analyst I, Analyst II, Lead
Analyst, Degree of pain: Small amount of pain, medium amount of pain, high amount of pain
Variables that can be measured on an ordinal scale have the following properties:
-They have a natural order. For example, “very satisfied” is better than “satisfied,” which is better than
“neutral,” etc.
-The difference between values can’t be evaluated. For example, we can’t exactly say that the difference
between “very satisfied and “satisfied” is the same as the difference between “satisfied” and “neutral.”
-The two measures of central tendency we can calculate for these variables are the mode and the
median. The mode tells us which category had the most counts and the median tells us the “middle”
value.
-Ordinal scale data is often collected by companies through surveys who are looking for feedback about
their product or service. identify which response was most common, and identify the median response.
3. Interval scale: A scale used to label variables that have a natural order and a quantifiable difference
between values, but no “true zero” value. You can categorize, rank, and infer equal intervals between
neighboring data points, but there is no true zero point.
Ex: Temperature: Measured in Fahrenheit or Celsius, Credit Scores: Measured from 300 to 850, SAT
Scores: Measured from 400 to 1,600
The difference between any two adjacent temperatures is the same: one degree. But zero degrees is
defined differently depending on the scale – it doesn’t mean an absolute absence of temperature.
The same is true for test scores and personality inventories. A zero on a test is arbitrary; it does not
mean that the test-taker has an absolute lack of the trait being measured.
4. Ratio scale: You can categorize, rank, and infer equal intervals between neighboring data points, and
there is a true zero point.
A true zero means there is an absence of the variable of interest. In ratio scales, zero does mean an
absolute lack of the variable.
For example, in the Kelvin temperature scale, there are no negative degrees of temperature – zero
means an absolute lack of thermal energy.
Height: Can be measured in centimeters, inches, feet, etc. and cannot have a value below zero.
Weight: Can be measured in kilograms, pounds, etc. and cannot have a value below zero.
Length: Can be measured in centimeters, inches, feet, etc. and cannot have a value below zero.

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Levels of measurement, also called scales of measurement, used to categorize different types of

 Nominal: the data can only be categorized

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