Presentation on nominal and ordinal scales of measurement

This presentation shows the difference between nominal and ordinal scale of measurement

1. Nominal and Ordinal scales of measurement Dr. Roma Smart Joseph Teacher Educator, Lucknow , UP, India [email protected]

2. Scales of measurement refer to ways in which variables/numbers are defined and categorized. Each scale of measurement has certain properties which in turn determines the appropriateness for use of certain statistical analyses.

3. The scales of measurement or ‘levels of measure‘ are the result of the work of Stanley Steven Smith. He proposed in 1946 that all measurements were performed with the help of four scales namely : 1. Nominal scale. 2. Ordinal scale. 3. Interval scale . 4.Ratio scale.

4. Points of difference Nominal scales Ordinal scales Meaning Nominal data are those items which are distinguished by a simple naming system. They are data with no numeric value. Ordinal data is data which is placed into some kind of order by their position on the scale. Categor y The subjects are only allocated to different categories hence, it is also called categorical data.  Ordinal data and variables are considered as “in between” categorical and quantitative variables. Quantitative Value Nominal scales do not denote the quantitative level or value. Ordinal scales assign numbers to the data but do not serve the purpose of calculations.

5. Points of difference Nominal scales Ordinal scales Numerical significance Nominal scales are mutually exclusive and do not overlap and none of them have any numerical significance. Ordinal scales are typically measures of non-numeric concepts like satisfaction, happiness, discomfort etc. Examples Gender Religion Marital status, etc. The first, second and third person in a competition. Economic status: lower,middle,upper class etc.

6. Data need not be inherently numeric to be useful in an analysis. The level of detail used in a system of classification should be appropriate, based on the reasons for making the classification and the uses to which the information will be put.