Measurement and scaling

module 2 (part 2)
 MEASUREMENT
Measurement is the process of observing and recording the
attributes of variables.
Measurement is the process of assigning numbers to
objects or phenomena according to some rules.
Symbols or Numbers are assigned because the numbers
permit the statistical analysis of resulting data.
Example:
Gender is a variable, Male, Female & Transgender are
attributes of Gender. Measurement assign 1 for male, 2 for
female and 3 for transgender.
 What is Measured?
• People, automobiles, food,
Objects cloths etc.

• Attitude, perception,
Phenomena opinion, satisfaction etc.

Characteristics • Weight and height of a person,

mileage of automobiles etc.
of Objects
 SCALING
Scaling is the extension of measurement.
It is the selection and use of a proper scale for measurement.
Scale of measurement is the way of defining and grouping variables
and attributes.
Scaling is creating a range or continuum on which measured objects
are located.
Example:
The variable, Satisfaction can be measured as Satisfied (1) and Not
satisfied (2)
In this case, a five point scale can be used. It creates attributes
from Highly satisfied (2) to Highly dissatisfied (-2) for measurement.
 LEVELS OF MEASUREMENT SCALES
Primary scales of measurement (Four levels of
measurement scales) are;
◦Nominal Scale (Non metric/Qualitative Scale)
◦Ordinal Scale (Non metric/Qualitative Scale)
◦Interval Scale (Metric/Quantitative Scale)
◦Ratio Scale (Metric/Quantitative Scale)
The statistical tools for analysis must be chosen
according to the scale of measurement of the
variable.
 Nominal Scale
This is a very simple scale used to measure identity &
difference.
It is a scale where variables or attributes are simply named
or labelled with no specific order.
A nominal scale of measurement deals with variables that
are non-numeric or numeric where the numbers have no
value.
It is used only for classification & identification.
 Examples of Nominal Scale
Questions
What is your What is your hair
gender? colour
[ ] Male (a)Black
(b)White
[ ] Female
(c)Brown
[ ] Transgender (d)Other
 Ordinal Scale
It is a non-metric scale used to categorise and rank the
variables.
It allocates values to variables based on their relative
importance or rank.
It is a scale on which data is shown simply in order of magnitude
but the distances between the categories are not known.
It is more powerful than a nominal scale because it is used for
classification & order
Ordinal scale can say that one is better than another, but not by
how much better.
Examples of Ordinal Scale Questions
Rank the following attributes Register your agreement towards
of a microwave oven on their the statement ‘Employees are
importance that you consider getting good salary in the orgn’
while
3 purchasing Strongly agree
Company Name
1
 Agree
Functions
2
Price Neutral
4
Comfort Disagree
5
Design
Strongly disagree
 Interval Scale
Interval scale is a numerical (metric) scale which describe the
order of magnitude of variables and the exact difference
between the values.
The difference between points on the scale are measurable
and equal.
The Interval Scales are also termed as Rating Scales.
An Interval Scale does not have an absolute zero point (This
scale has an arbitrary zero point)
In an interval scale, a variable can be measured even if it is
negative.
 Absolute Zero Vs Arbitrary Zero
An absolute scale is a system of measurement that begins at a
minimum, or zero point, and progresses in only one direction.
Ratio scale has an absolute (true) zero point.
For example, Height and weight measure from 0 and above, but
never fall below zero.
Arbitrary or relative scale begins at some point selected by a person
and can progress in both directions.
Interval scale has no absolute (true) zero and can represent values
above and below zero(arbitrary).
For example, you can measure temperature above & below 0
degrees Celsius, such as 10 degrees and -10 degrees.
 Examples of Interval Scale Questions
To what extent do you involved in decision making
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Not at all involved Extremely involved

Are you satisfied with the product of the company

2 1 0 -1 -2
Highly Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Highly
Satisfied Dissatisfied
 Ratio Scale
It is the highest level of measurement scales.
Ratio scale is a metric scale in which the attributes of variables are
measured on specific numerical scores or values.
Ratio scale is characterised by the presence of classification,
order, distance & a minimum scale value of zero. (Accommodates
the characteristic of three other scales)
It has a true or absolute zero value.
Height & weight are the examples of ratio data.
All statistical techniques which can be applicable to the previous
scales can bed used for this scale.
 Examples of Ratio Scale
Questions
Q 1) What is your Q 2) How far is
annual income the hospital from
before taxes? your home?
4,00,000 8
₹. …………….......
……….. KM
 Examples of Measurement Scales & Data

Nominal • Chest numbers given to the participants of

Scale a dance competition in an arts festival.

Ordinal • Once the competition is over, winners are

Scale declared as ‘first place’ ‘Second place’ etc.

Interval • Those who secured mark above 90% is

Scale graded as ‘A’, mark 80-90% as ‘B’ etc.

Ratio • The exact mark awarded to the participants

Scale by the judge.
 Comparison of the Levels of Measurement Scales
ZERO
DIFFERENCE ORDER DISTANCE
ORIGIN

NOMINAL Yes No No No

ORDINAL Yes Yes No No

INTERVAL Yes Yes Yes No

RATIO Yes Yes Yes Yes

 Comparison of the Levels of Measurement Scales
Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio
Count Values    
Calculation of Mode    
Calculation of Median   
Calculation of Mean  
Add or subtract values  
Multiple and divide values 
Has true zero 
SUMMARY

NOMINAL

ORDINAL

INTERVAL

RATIO