04: Ratio, Interval, Ordinal, and Nominal Scales

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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