Nominal data is the most basic level of measurement. All data is at least nominal.

A characteristic is

measured on a nominal scale if the answer contains different groups or categories like male/female;

treatment group/control group; or multiple categories like colors or occupations, highest degrees

earned, et cetera.

Ordinal data contains a bit more information than nominal data. On an ordinal scale your answer is one

of a set of different possible groups like on a nominal scale, however the ordinal scale allows you to

order the answer choices. Examples of this include all questions where the answer choices are grouped

in ranges, like income bands, age groups, and diagnostic cut-off values, and can also include rankings

(first place, second place, third place), and strengths or quantities of substances (high dose/ medium

dose/ low dose).

Scale data also contains more information than nominal data. If your data is measured on a continuous-

level scale then the intervals and/or ratios between your groups are defined. Technically, you can

define the distance between two ordinal groups by either a ratio or by an interval. What is a ratio scale?

A ratio scale is best defined by what it allows you to do. With scale data you can make claims such as

‘first place is twice as good as second place’, whereas on an ordinal scale you are unable to make these

claims for you cannot know them for certain. Fine examples of scale data include the findings that a

temperature of 120°K is half of 240°K, and sixty years is twice as many years as thirty years, which is

twice as many years as fifteen. What is an interval scale? An interval scale enables you to establish

intervals. Examples include the findings that the difference between 150ml and 100ml is the same as

the difference between 80ml and 30ml, and five minus three equals two which is the same as twelve

minus ten equals two. Most often you'll also find Likert-like scales in the interval scale category of levels

of measurement. An example of a Likert-like scale would include the following question and

statements: How satisfied are you with your life? Please choose an answer from 1 to 7, where 1 is

completely dissatisfied, 2 is dissatisfied, 3 is somewhat dissatisfied, 4 is neither satisfied or dissatisfied,

5 is somewhat satisfied, 6 is satisfied, and 7 is completely satisfied.