Lecture 2C: Levels of Measurement

Question 1

What are the four levels of measurement?

Answer 1

• Nominal
• Ordinal
• Interval
• Ratio

These levels represent a hierarchy of measurement scales.

Question 2

Define nominal data

Answer 2

Mutually exclusive categories with no order; numbers do not represent quantity.
* E.g. Gender, race

Examples include gender and race.

Question 3

Provide examples of nominal data

Answer 3

• Gender (Male: 1, Female: 2)
• Race (Chinese: 1, American: 2, Indian: 3)
• Treatment group (Exercise group: 1, No exercise group: 2)

Nominal data is often used for categorical variables.

Question 4

Define ordinal data

Answer 4

Ordered or ranked categories with unequal intervals; values cannot be added or subtracted.
* E.g. Feeding status

An example is feeding status.

Question 5

Give an example of an ordinal scale

Answer 5

• Feeding status (1: Need full assistance, 2: Need partial assistance, 3: Independent)

The intervals between these categories are not equal.

Question 6

Describe interval scale data

Answer 6

Numbers along a continuum without an absolute zero; intervals between values are equal.
* E.g. Temperature (degrees Celsius)

An example is temperature measured in Celsius.

Question 7

What is a key feature of interval data?

Answer 7

Zero is determined arbitrarily and does not represent the absence of the attribute measured.
* E.g. 0°C does not mean absence of heat energy

For instance, 0°C does not mean absence of heat energy.

Question 8

What defines ratio data?

Answer 8

Numbers on a continuum where zero means absence of the attribute measured; can express ratios.

• E.g. Height (cm)

An example is height measured in centimeters.

Question 9

List examples of ratio data

Answer 9

• ROM (degrees)
• Height (cm)
• Age (years)

Ratio data allows for meaningful comparisons and calculations.

Question 10

What is the significance of levels of measurement?

Answer 10

Determines what statistical method can be used to analyze the data.

Understanding these levels is crucial for proper data analysis.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The level of measurement for marital status is _______.

Answer 11

Nominal
* E.g. Single, married, divorced

Marital status categories like single, married, and divorced are nominal.

Question 12

Fill in the blank: The level of measurement for anxiety marked on a 10cm line is _______.

Answer 12

Interval

The line represents a continuum of anxiety levels.

Question 13

What is the level of measurement for the Functional Ambulation Category (FAC)?

Answer 13

Ordinal
* FAC: Levels of independence in walking

The FAC measures levels of independence in walking.