04: Ratio, Interval, Ordinal, and Nominal Scales

Types of Scales

• Ratio Scale
  • Any scale of measurement possessing magnitude, equal intervals, and an absolute zero
  • Examples: Weight, Height

• Interval Scale
  • Any scale of measurement possessing magnitude and equal intervals, but not an absolute zero
  • Example: Temperature

• Ordinal Scale
  • Any scale that reflects only magnitude but does not contain equal intervals or an absolute zero
  • Example: Ratings or rank ordering

• Nominal Scale
  • Any scale that contains no magnitude
  • Examples: Classifications or Descriptions