Scales of Measurement

Introduction to Scale of Measurement

The concept of scales of measurement in mathematics and statistics is very important because it helps us to understand and organize data properly. A scale of measurement tells us how a number or value is used to represent information. Using these scales, we can easily compare, arrange, and analyze data.

There are mainly four types of scales of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Each scale has its meaning and use. For example, the nominal scale is used for name or label (e.g: color, students names), in ordinary scale shows order or ranking (e.g: 1, 2, 3), the interval scale shows the same difference (e.g: the temperature in the celsius), and the ratio shows the value with a real zero point (e.g; weight, height, age).

In this article, we will learn about each type of measurement, their use, differences, and examples of real life. By the end, you will understand how the data can be measured in different ways, which will make troubleshooting and making the information much easier.

 

Table of Content

• What is a Scale?
• Scales of Measurement
• Nominal Scale
• Ordinal Scale
• Interval Scale
• Ratio Scale
• Conclusion
• FAQs on Scales of Measurement

 

What is a Scale?

A scale is a tool or method used to measure or compare things, & it tells us how long, big, hot, heavy something is. In simple terms, a scale provides us with numbers or units to better understand objects and events.

Example:

• Ruler: Length in cm

• Weighing scale: Weight in kg

• Thermometer: Temperature in °C

Related points :

• Scale Factor: It shows how much a figure is enlarged or reduced.

• Measurement of Objects: Using units like cm,m, kg, or liters.

• Data Handling: Collecting & showing information using numbers or graphs.

• Sampling Methods: Studying a small part of a group instead of the whole group.

 

Scales of Measurement

When we collect information (data), we need to measure or label it in any way. The scales of measurement help us to understand how the data is organized, compared, or calculated. There are four main levels of measurement:

• Nominal Scale

• Ordinal Scale

• Intervals Scale

• Ratio Scale

 

 

1. Nominal scale

The nominal scale is the first level of measurement. It is used when numbers or words are just labels to name or classify things. These numbers or words do not show any order or value. They are simply tags to identify.

Characteristics of Nominal Scale:

• It divides things into two or more groups or categories.

• It is qualitative (about names, not numbers).

• The numbers are only for naming or counting, not for showing size or order.

Example:

• Fruits: Apple, Banana, Grapes

• House: Flat, Bungalow, Guest house 

• School Sections: A, B, C

2. Ordinal scale

An ordinal scale is the second level of measurement. It is used to arrange the data in order or rank. But the order won’t tell us how big the difference is between them. Ordinal data is known as qualitative data or classified data. The ordinal word comes from “order”. So, that ordinal data means data that can be grouped, named, and ranked.

Characteristics of Ordinal Scale:

• It shows the order or ranking of items.

• It tells us which is greater or smaller, but not how much greater.

• It gives more information than the nominal scale because it not only names things but also puts them in order.

• The exact gap between ranks is not known.

• It is useful in surveys & studies where people give their choices in order.

Example:

• Positions in a race: 1st,2nd,3rd place.

• Grades in school: A, B, C, D

• Level of satisfaction: Very happy, Happy, Neutral, Unhappy, Very unhappy.

• Spiciness of food: mild, Medium, Spicy, very spicy

• Size of clothes: Small, Medium, Large, Extra large

3. Interval Scale

The interval scale is the third level of measurement in statistics. It is a type of scale that helps measure things where the difference between values has meaning. For example, if we measure the temperature in degrees, the difference between 20°C & 30°C (which is 10°C) is the same as the difference between 30°C & 40°C(also 10°C).

Characteristics of Interval Scale:

• It is Quantitative, meaning we can use numbers.

• We can add & subtract values to find differences.

• We can calculate the mean, median.

• The 0 is not absolute; it just acts as a point.

Example:

• Temperature: The difference between 40°C and 50°C is the same as the difference between 50°C and 60°C

• Calendar Years: The gap between the years 2000 & 2010 is the same as the gap between 2010 & 2020 (10 years).

• Time of Day: The difference between 2:00 and 3:00 is the same as the difference between 4:00 and 3:00

4. Ratio Scale

The ratio scale is the Fourth level of measurement in statistics. It is a quantitative scale, which means it deals with numbers. The scale is special because it has a true zero point; here, zero means “nothing” or “none”.

Characteristics of Ratio Scale:

• It has a true zero 

• It never has negative numbers because 0 means nothing.

• With this scale, we can do all kinds of math: +, -, *, %

• We can find the mean, median, and mode using data on this scale.

• It also allows unit conversions.

Example:

• Height of students in cm:

  • Less than 120 cm

  • 121 - 140 cm

  • 141 - 160 cm

  • More than 160 cm

• Time taken to run a race:

  • Less than 10 seconds

  • 11 - 20 seconds

  • 21 - 30 seconds 

  • More than 30 seconds

• Number of books we have:

  • 0 books

  • 1 - 3 books

  • 4 - 6 books 

  • More than 6 books

 

Conclusion

The scales of measurement help us to understand, compare, and organize data correctly. Each scale has its purpose. The nominal scale is for naming or labeling, the ordinal scale is to organize in order, the interval scale is to show equal gaps between the values, and the ratio scale is for numbers with a true zero.

By learning these scales, we can measure things such as names, ranking, temperature, height, weight, time, and more. These scales make it easy to study data, solve problems, and explain the situation in real life in a simple way.

 

FAQs on Scales of Measurement

1. What are the 4 scales of measurement?

Ans: The four scales of measurement are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. These scales categorize data based on the nature of the information they contain and the mathematical operations that can be meaningfully applied to them.

2. What are the scales and their types?

Ans: There are 4 types of scales, based on the extent to which scale values have the arithmetic properties of real numbers. The arithmetic properties are order, equal intervals, and a true zero point. From the least to the most mathematical, the scale types are nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.

3. What are the three types of measurement?

Ans: The three measures are descriptive, diagnostic, and predictive. Descriptive is the most basic form of measurement. A Klout score, your Google Pagerank, and the number of unique visitors to your website. Descriptive measurements are what most of us believe measurements to be.

4. What are some types of scales?

Ans: Some important scale types include major, minor, pentatonic, chromatic, whole tone, and blues scales.

5. What are the three types of weighing scales?

Ans: Types of Weighing Scales Based on Use

• Mechanical Weighing Scales.

• Digital Weighing Scales.

• Analytical Weighing Scales