2.3.1 Levels of Measurement

Question 1

what is Nominal Data

Answer 1

The level of measurement that shows categories of data represented by
frequencies

The data sets have no relative numerical value
e.g. boys and girls

Question 2

what is Ordinal Data

Answer 2

The level of measurement where data can be placed into ascending or
descending order, but the intervals between data are not necessarily equal

e.g. the times for first, second and third in a race.

Question 3

what is Interval Data

Answer 3

The level of measurement that has equal numerical intervals between scores
e.g. temperature

• The interval between 1 and 2 degrees is the same as between 21 and 22 degrees

Question 4

what is Ratio Data

Answer 4

The level of measurement that has equal intervals between scores and has an absolute or true zero point
e.g. speed (mph)

Question 5

what are Levels of Measurement?

Answer 5

Levels of measurement refer to the way variables/data have been measured within a study

They signify both the type of data that has been collected and how sophisticated/complex the data is.

Question 6

why do we need to know the Levels of Measurement?

Answer 6

We need to know the level of measurement so that we can correctly identify an appropriate statistical test and draw conclusions about differences across the data set accordingly

Question 7

what is the Difference between each Level of Measurement

Answer 7

The main difference is how sophisticated or detailed each measure is.

Nominal data is the least sophisticated; it just gives us a very basic picture

Ordinal is more complex than nominal, but it still has no relative mathematical value

Interval data goes one step further in terms of sophistication – the number now means something mathematically and can be compared as such

Finally, ratio is the ‘elite’ of the data world – it is a form of data that is both interval and has a true zero point. It gives us the most complex picture of all levels of measurement