Introduction

Measurement is a technique in which the properties of an object are determined by comparing them to a
standard quantity. Also, measurement is the essential metric to express any quantity of objects, things and events.

Measurement is the basic concept in the study of Mathematics and Science. Measurement quantifies the
characteristics of an object or event, which we can compare with other things or events. Measurement is the most
commonly used word, whenever we deal with the division of a quantity. Also, in taking a certain amount of things to
accomplish a particular task. In our daily existence, we often come across different measurement types for length,
weight, times, etc. In this article, you will learn the meaning and definitions of measurement, along with types of
measurement and examples.

Measurement is a technique in which the properties of an object are determined by comparing them to a standard
quantity. Also, measurement is the essential metric to express any quantity of objects, things and events

Measurement and Scaling

We have different scales of measurement such as nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scale. Let’s understand these
measurement scales in brief.

Nominal measurement: The nominal measurement scale is the first level of measurement scale in which the
numbers serve as titles or labels to categorise or recognise the objects. This scaling usually deals with non-numeric
variables or objects with no value.

Ordinal measurement: The ordinal measurement scale is the second level of measurement that declares the
ordering and ranking of data without designating the degree of variation among them. Ordinal symbolises the “order.”
Ordinal data is referred to as qualitative or categorical data, and this data can be grouped and named also can be
ranked.

Interval measurement: The interval measurement scale is the third level of measurement scale. This scaling is a
quantitative measurement scale in which we can express the difference between any two variables.

Ratio measurement: The ratio measurement scale is the fourth level of measurement scale, which is quantitative.
The ratio scaling has a unique feature: it possesses the origin or zero points character.

UNIT 1 1.
BASIC MEASUREMENTS
Methods of Measurement, Measurement System, Classification of instrument system, Functional
Elements of measurement system - Examples - Characteristics of instruments: Static characteristics -
Dynamic characteristic Types of errors - sources of errors - methods of elimination - Analysis of data -
Limiting errors - Relative limiting error- Combination of Quantities with limiting errors - Statistical
treatment of data: Histogram, Mean, Measure of dispersion from the mean, Range, Deviation, Average
deviation, Standard Deviation, Variance - Calibration and Standards - Process of Calibration. 1.1
METHODS OF MEASUREMENT
Measurement is the assignment of a number to a physical quantity or characteristic of an object or
event, which can be compared with other objects or events.
(i) Direct method of measurement. In this method the value of a quantity is obtained directly by
comparing the unknown with the standard. Direct methods are common for the measurement
of physical quantities such as length, mass and time. It involves no mathematical calculations to
arrive at the results, for example, measurement of length by a graduated scale. The method is
not very accurate because it depends on human insensitiveness in making judgment.
(ii) (ii) Indirect method of measurement. In this method several parameters (to which the quantity
to be measured is linked with) are measured directly and then the value is determined by
mathematical relationship. For example, measurement of density by measuring mass and
geometrical dimensions.
Types of measuring tools
The common types of measuring tools include speedometers, measuring tape,
thermometers, compasses, digital angle gauges, levels, laser levels, macrometer,
measuring squares, odometers, pressure gauges, protractors, rulers, angle locators,
bubble inclinometers, and calipers.