Scales of Measurements

While performing researches, the researcher has to attempt to classify the variables or data. Thus, he
needs to develop some taxonomy for the measurement levels which are known as scales of
measurements. There are number of ways available of measuring variables in statistics. These dependent
variables are to be classified on the basis of scales of measurement. The measurement is the foundation
for any type of scientific or statistical investigation. In a research or survey, everything we perform, does
begin with its measurement. So, it is necessary to understand the difference between the type of variables
and the scales according to which these would be measured. It is important to be able to identify a scale
which would be appropriate in order to analyze the data.

Therefore, we can say that the scales of measurement may be defined as the ways by which variables or
numbers are classified into categories. Each scale of measurement possesses certain properties. These
properties determine the appropriate use of certain statistical scale of measurement.

Types of Scales of Measurements:

1. Nominal Scale

Nominal scale of measurement is used to classify the categorical variables, i.e, the variables that define
categories and names etc which cannot be ranked. This scale of measurement just satisfies the identity
property of measurement. It is used to represent the variables that assign values in the form of descriptive
category and do not have any numerical value or magnitude.

For Example: Gender may be classified on the nominal scale of measurement, since it has the types -
"male" or "female", but not the numerical values. Also, the variable “religion” does have responses such
as “Muslim”, “Christian”, "Hindu", “Jewish” etc. So, it is measured on nominal scale.

Examples of Nominal Scale of Measurement:

1) Behavioral patterns - extroverts, introverts or ambivert.
2) Name of the person - John, Barbara, Samantha, Duke etc.
3) Nationality - Indian, American, African, European etc.

2. Ordinal Scale

Ordinal scale of measurement includes the variables that have the property of rank or order. Ordinal
scale is actually more precise that the nominal one. The variables coming under this scale must have set
of rankings. This scale of measurement possesses the properties related to identity as well as magnitude.
Every value evaluated on ordinal scale has a unique meaning.

For Example: The order of some variable expressed as “low” “medium” and “high”. Similarly, if in a
class, the obtained marks of each student are noted. Then, the variable that assigns each student a number
expressing their rank, is measured through ordinal scale. Here, we only know who obtained greater (or
lower) marks to whom. But we definitely do not know by how much. We also do not know the actual
marks obtained by anyone.
Examples of Ordinal Scale of Measurement:
1) Ranking in high school class.
2) Socioeconomic status (low, middle, high).
3) Rank in athletics.
4) Views about some political matter (Totally agree, mostly disagree, totally disagree).

3. Interval Scale

Interval scale of measurement includes categories in which the distances or intervals between the
categories are to be compared. Interval scale keeps the rank characteristic just as ordinal scale. Along with
that, the interval scale also shows the differences between the given data points. This scale of
measurement states that the interval must be same.

For Example: A variable explaining that the difference between the heights 5.5 feet and 6 feet is same as
the difference between heights 4 feet and 4.5 feet.
Also, we can say that on interval scale the difference between 1 and 2 is equal to the difference between 6
and 7, 13 and 14, or 103 and 104.

Examples of Interval Scale of Measurement:

1) The score of IQ test (difference between someone's IQ of 110 and 98 is same as difference between
130 and 142).
2) Thermometer readings on Fahrenheit scale. The value zero does not mean "the absence of heat."

4. Ratio Scale

Ratio scale of measurement is almost same as interval-scale variable. Ratio-scale variable also includes a
non-arbitrary zero value in it. It is the most powerful and precise of all the scales of measurement. The
ratio scale has all the properties of interval scale, but it has a the most meaningful, zero point. Thus, one
cannot have any negative value on the ratio scale. Here, along with the property of same intervals, we
may be able to compare the scores by means of ratios. Therefore, we can say that ratio scale of
measurement has all the four properties of measurement which are - identity, magnitude, equal intervals,
and minimum value of zero.

For Example: A variable containing the score of 30 is 30 times bigger than 1. This may be expressed as
30:1.
In another example, when we measure something using a ruler, it gives us a measure on a ratio scale. A
value that is 2 inches is said to be half of the length of something which is 4 inches. This is not evident on
an interval scale. Also, zero in included in it meaning "no length". It is not possible to measure negative
length too.

Examples of Ratio Scale of Measurement:

1) Driving speed.
2) Measurement of weight.
3) Time taken for completing a task.
4) Record of number of errors made in a certain time period.
Comparisons of Four Scales of Measurement:

Furthermore, the comparison can also be seen in following aspects:

Scales of Arithmetic aspects that Features/characteristics Examples

Measurement can be performed
Nominal scale · Counting · Unordered Religion, sex etc.

· Can say one is different from

other
Ordinal scale · Counting · Ordered category with unequal Economic status
and unknown interval size
· Ranking academic
performance etc.
Interval scale · Counting · Ordered category with equal and Temperature, IQ
known interval size and arbitrary score etc.
· Ranking zero

· Measurement · Can say one is different from the

other
· Addition
· Can say one is greater or
· Subtraction smaller than the other

· Can say one is ‘X’ units greater

or smaller than the other
Ratio Scale · Counting · Ordered category with equal and Body weight, height
known interval size and absolute etc.
· Ranking zero

· Measurement · Can say one is different from the

other
· Addition
· Can say one is greater or
· Subtraction smaller than the other

· Multiplication · Can say one is ‘X’ units greater

or smaller than the other
· Division
· Can say one is ‘X’ times greater
or smaller than the other