Ordinal scale
Ordinal Scale
Ordinal Scale (pronunciation: /ˈɔːrdɪnəl skeɪl/) is a type of measurement scale used in various fields, including statistics, research, and psychology. It is used to rank order the units of analysis in terms of the degree to which they possess some attribute.
Etymology
The term "Ordinal Scale" is derived from the Latin word "ordinalis", meaning order, and the English word "scale", which refers to a range or series of things.
Definition
An Ordinal Scale is a measurement scale that allows for rank order of the units being measured, but does not allow for relative degree of difference between them. It is often used in questionnaires, where the levels of agreement or disagreement are measured.
Characteristics
The main characteristics of an Ordinal Scale include:
- It determines whether an object has more or less of a characteristic compared to another object, but not how much more or less.
- The order of values is significant and usually ordered from highest to lowest.
- There is no absolute zero point in an ordinal scale.
Examples
Examples of Ordinal Scales include:
- Likert scale: A common ordinal scale used in research. It measures the level of agreement or disagreement with a statement.
- Socioeconomic status: This can be measured on an ordinal scale, with categories such as low, middle, and high.
- Pain scale: Used in medical settings to assess the level of a patient's pain.
Related Terms
- Nominal scale: A scale used for labeling variables, without any quantitative value.
- Interval scale: A scale where the order of values is known, as well as the exact difference between each one.
- Ratio scale: A scale that has all the characteristics of an interval scale, plus a clear definition of zero.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ordinal scale
- Wikipedia's article - Ordinal scale
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