Back to: Measurement and Evaluation in Education B.ed Notes, M.A Notes, IGNOU Notes and Graduation Notes
What are The 4 Types of Scales and Discuss Each Type
The process of determining an object’s characteristics or size is referred to as measurement. The word measure appears to be an exception when it comes to calculating a person’s IQ. It’s usual to say, “This exam evaluates IQ.” It also applies to measuring things like preferences or attitudes. To ascertain how large, tall, heavy, voluminous, hot, cold, quick, or straight anything truly is, however, we often employ some kind of standard tool when we measure. Physical objects like rulers, scales, thermometers, pressure gauges, etc. are referred to as standard instruments. We measure in order to learn more about what is. Depending on how accurate the tools we use and how well we use them are, this information may or may not be beneficial.
Classificatory scale or Nominal scale
You may have observed a distinction between our two variables. Breakfast consumption is not numerical, despite the fact that math exam results are given as numbers. A person can choose to have a nutritious breakfast, an unhealthy one, or none at all. These are categories rather than numbers. When dealing with variables that are neither quantitative or have no numerical value, a nominal scale of measurement is used.
In other words, it doesn’t matter what order we place them in. Consider the jersey numbers worn by football players. Is the person sporting number 1 a more talented athlete than the person sporting number 82? Perhaps, but that has nothing to do with the figures they display.
The classification of pupils into classes A, B, C, D, etc. is another code. Nothing like more than or less than is present, and there is no sense of order. Any letter, number, or numeral employed in a nominal scale is only for convenience and has no quantitative meaning.
Ordinal Scale or Ranking Scale
Let’s imagine that we would prefer to examine each student’s total letter grade for the course rather than their performance on a particular arithmetic examination.
As a result, Bilal has an A, Hilal has a D, and other pupils have Bs, Cs, and Fs. In this instance, the letters have some significance. Unlike football player jerseys, for instance, we are aware of Bilal’s superior performance over Hilal. How much better, though?
An ordinal scale of measurement examines variables when the differences are irrelevant but the order is important. Think about the term “order” when you hear the word “ordinal.” We don’t really know how much better an A is than a D when it comes to letter grades.
We are aware that A is superior to B, which is superior to C, and so forth. But is A really that much superior to D? Is it twice as good? In this instance, the variations are not as significant as the order.
Interval Scale
Equal intervals do not reflect equal quantities on an ordinal scale. The reserve, however, applies to the interval scale. Alternatively stated, identical intervals here signify equal amounts. On the scale, there is an equal amount of variation between consecutive intervals.
Identity, size, and equal intervals are characteristics of the interval scale of measurement. With an interval scale, you may determine not only if various numbers are larger or smaller, but also by how much. Consider a scenario where the temperature is 60 degrees on Monday and 70 degrees on Tuesday. You are aware that Tuesday’s temperature was 10 degrees higher than it was on Monday.
Ratio Scale
The greatest level or scale of measurement is at this point. All four of the qualities of measuring—identity, magnitude, equal intervals, and a minimum value of zero—are satisfied by the ratio scale of measurement. This scale involves the majority of mathematical operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
The weight of an object would be an example of a ratio scale.
The units along the weight scale are equal to one another, each number on the scale has a distinct meaning, and the scale has a minimum value of zero. Weights can also be ranked.
