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Presented To
Dr.Eram
Presented By
Shaista Zia
&
Nabeela
Rahman
M.phil (2nd Semester)

Definition of measurement

Measurement is the process of

observing and recording the
observations that are collected as
part of a research effort.

Definition of Scale:

In the social sciences,scalingis the

process ofmeasuringor ordering entities
with respect to quantitative attributes or
traits.
For example, a scaling technique might
involve estimating individuals' levels of
extraversion, or the perceived quality of
products.
Thelevel of measurementis the type of
data that is measured.

Introduction to Measurement scales:

Measurement scale is a system for

organizing the data, so that it may be
inspected analyzed and interpreted.
In another word the scale is the
instrument used to provide the range of
value or score for each variable.
Researchers use four types of
measurement scales: Nominal, Ordinal,
Interval, and Ratio.

History of measurement scales:

There are two main classification systems

in the social science for measuring
different types of variable. One was
developed by S.S Stevens (in 1946) and
the other by Duncan (in 1948).

Continue

According to Smith (1991:72),Duncan (1984) has

enumerated, in increasing order of interest to
scientist, five types of measurement:
Nominal classification,
Ordinal scaling,
Cardinal scaling,
Ratio scaling,
Probability scaling.
Duncan writes about Stevens classification as follows:
The theory of scale types proposed in 1946 by S.S
Stevens focused on Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and
Ratio scales of measurement.

Measurement Scales:

Measurement can be qualitative or

quantitative and measured using four
different scales. These are simply ways to
categorize different types of variables.
Nominal Scale
Ordinal Scale
Interval Scale
Ratio Scale

Nominal Scale/Categorical variable

Definition of Nominal scale

A Nominal scale is also called a

categorical scale because the values
include two or more named categories.
The word nominal comes from Latin word
for name. Nominal scales could simplify
be called Labels.

Characteristics of Nominal Scales:

Common shared property or

characteristics
Used for labeling variables
Scales are mutually exclusive (no
overlap)
A good way to remember all of this is that
Nominal
Have one, two or more subcategories

Data analysis

It use numbers name or symbol to

classify objects

Examples of Nominal scale:

For example water and taxi have only one

subgroup, whereas the variable, gender can be
classified into two categories: male and female.
What is your gender?
M- Male
F- Female
What is your eye color?
Where do you live?
1- Brown
A- North of the equator
2- Black
B- South of the equator
3- Green
C- Northern the international
4- Blue
space station.

Ordinal Scales:

Definition of Ordinal scale

With ordinal scale, it is the order of the

values is whats important and
significant, but the difference between
each one is not really known.

Characteristics of ordinal scale

It has ranking
All properties of nominal scale
Arranged in ascending or descending
order
Permit us to describe performance as
higher, lower, better or worse
Intervals between ranks are not equal.

Data analysis

The best way to determine central

tendency on a set of ordinal data is to
use the mode, or median; the mean
cannot be defined from an ordinal set.

Examples of ordinal scales:

How do you feel
today

Very happy
Unhappy
O.K
Happy
Very Happy

How satisfied are

you with our

Very unsatisfied
Somewhat
Unsatisfied
Neutral
Somewhat satisfied
Very satisfied

Interval Scale:
Definition of intrval scale

Interval itself means space in

between. Interval scale is numeric scale
in which we know not only the order but
also the exact difference between the
values.

Characteristics of Interval scale:

All the characteristics of nominal and

ordinal scales
This scale has a starting and terminating
point
The starting and terminating points and
the number of units/intervals between
them are arbitrary and vary from scale to
scale.
Relation to one and other with respect to
the magnitude
Dont have a true zero

Data Analysis

Central tendency can be measured by

mode median or mean
standard deviation can also be
calculated.
Scores on most test used in educational
research, such as achievement test,
aptitude test, motivation and attitude
test are treated as in interval scale.
With interval data, we can add and
subtract, but cannot multiply and divide.

Examples of interval scale:

The classic example of interval scale is

Celsius temperature because the
difference between each value is the
same .For example ,the difference
between 60and 50 degrees is a
measurable 10 degrees, as is the
difference between 80and 70 degrees

Ratio Scale:
Definition of Ratio scale:

The ratio is a numerical relation between

two or more quantities having the same
unit.

Characteristics of ratio
scale:

Has all the properties of nominal, ordinal,

and interval scales.
Tells us about the order.
Tells us the exact value between zeros.
A starting point fixed at zero.
Difference between the intervals is always
measured from a zero point.
Wide range of both descriptive and
inferential statistics.
Provide a wealth of possibilities.

Data Analysis

These variables can be meaningfully

added, subtract, multiplied, divided
(ratio).
Central tendency can be measured by
mode, median, mean, measure of
dispersion such as standard deviation
and coefficient of variation can also be
calculated from ratio scales.

Examples of ratio scale

Height, Weight, Time, Distance, Speed,

income, age etc are the examples of ratio
scales.

A person earning $60,000 per year earns

three times the salary of a person
earning$20,000.

Difference between
Interval/Ratio and
Nominal/Ordinal
Interval and Ratio
Those scales which have a unit of
measurement (interval and ratio)are
considered to be more refined, objective
and accurate.
Nominal and Ordinal
Nominal and ordinal scales are
considered subjective and hence not as
accurate as they do not have a unit of
measurement.

Asessment

Example of scale?

water and taxi have only one subgroup,

whereas the variable, gender can be
classified into two categories: male and
female.

Answer

Nominal scale

Because it is categorized such as male

and female

Example of scale?

The difference between OK and

Unhappy the same as the difference
between Very happy and Happy? We
cant say. -------------scale are typically
measure of non-numeric concepts like
satisfaction, happiness, discomfort, etc.

Answer

Ordinal scale

Because they are coming in order

Example of scale?

A person who is 40 years of age is twice

asold as 20-years old .

Answer

Ratio Scale

Because age has true zero therfore it

come in this scale

Example of scale?

Time is another good example of an

--------------scale in which the increments
are known, consistent and measureable.

Answer
Interval Scale

Because the increments are known,

consistent and measureable.

Thank
You