Levels of Measurement and Type of Data used in

Nonparametric Statistics

Nominal
The nominal level is the first level of measurement, and the simplest. It classifies
and labels variables qualitatively. In other words, it divides them into named groups
without any quantitative meaning. It’s important to note that, even where numbers are
used to label different categories, these numbers don’t have any numerical value.

Ordinal
The ordinal scale also categorizes variables into labeled groups, and these
categories have an order or hierarchy to them. For example, you could measure the
variable “income” on an ordinal scale as follows: low income, medium income, high
income. Another example could be level of education, classified as follows: high school,
master’s degree, doctorate. These are still qualitative labels (as with the nominal scale),
but you can see that they follow a hierarchical order.

Interval
The interval scale is a numerical scale which labels and orders variables, with a known,
evenly spaced interval between each of the values.

Ratio
The ratio scale is exactly the same as the interval scale, with one key difference: The
ratio scale has what’s known as a “true zero.”
 Levels of Measurement

Ratio

ₒ Has a true zero Interval

ₒ For example,
kilograms
Ordinal ₒ Numerical scale
ₒ Has known, equal
intervals
ₒ Has no true zero
Nominal ₒ For example,
temperature
ₒ
ₒ Is the simplest ₒ The categories
ₒ Qualitative variables variables have an
(labels or names) order or hierarchy
ₒ Don’t have any order. to them.
ₒ Don’t convey any ₒ For example, level
numerical value. of agreement,
ₒ For example, gender level of education
and hair color. completed