Level of Measurement

khitchcock82

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Oct 5, 2009
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I was wondering if someone could help me figure out which level of measurement for the following two variables: Unemployment and Vehicle theft. I'm unclear if it would be nominal or ordinal. Thanks
 
How are your variables defined? Percentages and rates are rational.
 


Nominal scales measure categories where there is no clear order to the possible values that the variable takes on.

Gender is a nominal scale because we can't really say that Male comes before Female, or vice versa.

Marital status {Single, Married, Divorced, Surviving Spouse, Common-Law Partner, Other} and hair color {Blond, Brunette, Redhead, Black, Other} are two more examples of nominal scales. We cannot order these variable values.

Ordinal scales CAN be ordered. Clearly, if a variable takes on values of {High, Medium, Low}, then it can be ordered.

So, if your choices are nominal or ordinal for vehicle theft and unemployment, consider the above, and the answers should become clear.

 
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