Measurement charts may not be something you use on the daily but its definitely something youll find useful at different points of your life. Scales of measurement in research and statistics are the different ways in which variables are defined and grouped into different categories. Scales of measurement refers to the type of scale on which the dv is measured certain statistics can be calculated on some scales, but not others four scales nominal ordinal interval ratio 1 2. Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio scales with examples. This study uses the longitudinal research design to investigate the objectivity and consistency of the likert scale.
The centigrade scale has a zero point but it is an arbitrary one. Scales of measurement level of measurement statistics how to. Measurement of sea level is another example of an interval scale. What are the four statistical scales of measurement and what variables do these measure. The arthritis impact measurement scales 2 short form aims2sf was established by guillemin et al.
The scales are distinguished on the relationships assumed to exist between objects. Scales of measurement refer to ways in which variablesnumbers are defined and categorized. Scales of measurement and presentation of statistical data. Measurement scales we consider three types of measurement scales for variables. Nominal, ordinal, interval, ratio scales with examples questionpro. Although likerttype scales are very common when a survey instruments are used to. Scales of measurement nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. Ratio scales are almost nonexistent in psychological and educational measurement. Measurement scales educational research basics by del siegle. Nominal scales are used for labeling variables, without any quantitative value. Nominal lets start with the easiest one to understand. Knowing the measurement level of your data helps you to interpret and manipulate data in the right way.
Measuring selfefficacy with scales and questionnaires. Pdf measurement and measurement scales researchgate. But there are different levels of measurement, which provide differing amounts of information about the theoretical. The following article enumerates and describes the four statistical scales of measurement and provides examples with exercises. In statistics, the variables or numbers are defined and categorized using different scales of measurements. Stevens proposed his theory in a 1946 science article titled on the theory of scales of measurement. Market research in business is important by keeping up with the everyday life of consumer society. A variable measured on a nominal is one which is divided into two or more categories, for example, gender is categorized as male or female, a question as to whether a family owns. Sometimes called the level of measurement, it describes the nature of the values assigned to the variables in a data set.
For example, the difference in finishing time between the 1st place horse and the 2nd horse need not the same as that between the 2nd and 3rd place horses. Examples are studies on transformational and transactional. There are four measurement scales or types of data. This allows measurement of attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions, and provides a means of quantifying the data.
Also, this very distinction between nominal, ordinal, and interval scales itself represents a good example of an ordinal variable. When we use a personality test such as the epq eysenck personality questionnaire. The original arthritis impact measurement scales aims and arthritis impact measurement scales 2 aims2 were published in 1980 and 1992, respectively, to measure quality of life for clients with rheumatoid arthritis. Categorical variables are named or nominal categories. Thus, the problem thus, the problem with subjective measurement appears to be more of a philosophic al conflict. Ordinal variables represent rankordered categories. In the course of gathering your data, you should be very well familiar with the different statistical scales of measurement. In ordinal scales, there is an ordered relationship between the variables observations. The fahrenheit scale is a clear example of the interval scale of measurement.
Types of measurement scales in research and statistics. Level of measurement from wikipedia, the free encyclopedia the levels of measurement, or scales of measure are expressions that typically refer to the theory of scale types developed by the psychologist stanley smith stevens. Interval scale offers labels, order, as well as, a specific. Some examples of ratio scales include length, weight, time, etc. Practice exercises for scales of measurement now that you have learned about the different scales of measurement used in psychological research, you are ready to test your knowledge. Market research helps businesses study what are the likes and dislikes of consumers, what is popular, and what products are already out in the market. Nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio research writing 2. Its decision is taken by looking the types of data and the objectives of the research. Interval scale offers labels, order, as well as, a. Measurement and measurement scales measurement is the foundation of any scientific investigation everything we do begins with the measurement of whatever it is we want to study definition. With respect to market research, the common ratio scale examples are price, number of customers, competitors, etc. The four scales of measurement are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. With each of these scales there is direct, measurable quantity with equality of units.
The number system that we use is another example of a uniform measurement scale. Categorical data and numbers that are simply used as identifiers or names represent a nominal scale of measurement. The four levels of measurement scales for measuring variables with their definitions, examples and questions. These four measurement scales nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio are best understood with example, as youll see below. Statistics deals with data and data are the result of measurement the type of measuring scale. That is, they can be measured only in terms of whether the individual items belong to some distinctively different categories, but we cannot. Selfefficacy is critically important when it comes to protecting yourself against psychological stress. Level of measurement overview, types of scales, examples. In physical science, the measurement needs to be very accurate and precise but in social science, the measurement cannot be as accurate and it is a lot more subjective. Ordinal scales present more information than nominal scales and are, therefore, a higher level of measurement.
From what has been stated above, we can write that scales of measurement can be considered in terms of their mathematical properties. When we measure reaction time in psychophysical measurement. Likerttype scales are assumed to have equal units as the categories move from most negative to most positive. The scale of the variable measured drastically affects the type of analytical techniques that can be used on the data, and what conclusions can be drawn from the data. In this article, we will learn four types of scales such as nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scale. In simple words, we must measure what we have defined. The simplest example of a ratio scale is the measurement of length disregarding any philosophical points about defining how we can identify zero length. In 1946, harvard university psychologist stanley smith stevens developed the theory of the four levels of measurement when he published an article in science entitled, on the theory of scales of measurement. The best way to contrast interval and ratio scales is to look at temperature.
Each scale of measurement has certain properties which in turn determines the appropriateness for use of certain statistical analyses. Reporting and interpreting scores derived from likerttype. Examples and definitions explained in plain english. Levels of scale measurement the four levels or types of scale measurement are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio level scales. Can be used for determining the mode, the percentage values, or the chi square.
The measurement scales are used to measure qualitative and quantitative data. Chapter 7 measurement m easurement is the foundation of scientific inquiry. Measurement scales in research methodology tutorial 05 may. Measurement of physical dimensions such as height, weight, distance, age, years of experience etc. For example, we can say that nominal measurement provides less information than ordinal measurement, but we cannot say how much less or how this difference compares to the difference between ordinal and interval scales. Ordinal scale has all its variables in a specific order, beyond just naming them. It is extensively used in marketing, advertising, and business sales.
Each level of measurement scale has specific properties that determine the various use of statistical analysis. Measurement is defined in terms of the relationship to related factors and brief illustration of variables and types. Each describes a measurement procedure commonly used in psychological research and asks you to identify the scale of measurement. Problems with developing thurstone scales include 1 it can be quite time consuming and expensive, and 2 examples for the midpoints of the scale for which there is consensus among the judges can be difficult to obtain. The measurement scale needs to be very accurate to get the most valid and reliable results.
Qualitative, also known as categorical, data cannot be measured on a numerical scale quantified. The scales are also uniform in that the difference between 200c and 400c is the same as the difference between 400c and 600c. Four statistical scales of measurement simplyeducate. In temperature measurement, we use scales that are interval measurement scales. Examples of likerttype scales examples of likerttype scales by sorrel brown 1, wade m. While there are many tools for measuring selfefficacy, the ses or selfefficacy survey is a good one to start with because it is based upon banduras sociocognitive theory. As data are the heart of the statistics, and at the time of data analysis and presentation, many people are confused about what type of statistical tools to be used on a set of data and the relevant forms of presentation or data display. First, there is an underlying quantitative measure on which the observations differ.
Thus, 60 degree fahrenheit or 10 degrees fahrenheit are interval data. For instance, some retail companies display measurements in centimeters on their size charts while. The thurstone scale is made up of statements about a particular issue and. Measurement scales in research methodology mba knowledge.
In this famous article, stevens argued that all measurement is conducted using four measurement levels. Scales of variable measurement scales of variable measurement variables are measurement using an instrument, device, or computer. On the one hand, various leadership studies are conducted in the public sector using general leadership concepts. The term scale of measurement is derived from two keywords in statistics, namely. There are two salient attributes of an ordinal scale. Measurement scales in research methodology are used to categorize andor quantify variables. Nominal scale is a naming scale, where variables are simply named or labeled, with no specific order. In order to test our hypotheses, we must observe our theoretical concepts at the operational level. A summary of measurement scales, their characteristics, and their statistical implications nominal a scale in which the numbers serve as labels rather than have numeric value i. Nominal variables allow for only qualitative classification. Numbers on the back of a baseball jersey and your social security number are examples of nominal data.