This document defines and describes the four main types of scales used in research methodology: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales. Nominal scales classify variables without numerical values. Ordinal scales arrange values in ascending or descending order. Interval scales assign unique values to each observation and measure equal intervals between values. Ratio scales have a true zero point below which no values exist, allowing the use of all mathematical operations. Each higher scale incorporates the properties of the lower scales but not vice versa. The scales are important for properly measuring and analyzing data in research.

1. Types of Scales in Research
Methodology
APPLICATION NUMBER: a075056eeeec11e98a768daeae3e7b87
Name : Manisha Mani
Affiliation: Assam University

2. Definition
• Measurement (in general)
– The action of measuring something
– Accurate measurement is essential
– Ex.- Size, Length etc.
• Scale (in general)
– A series of items or set of numbers used to
measure or compare the level of something
• Measurement (in Research)
– It is a process of observing and recording
observation that are collected as a research effort.

3. Types of data
– Nominal
– Ordinal
– Interval
– Ratio
• These data also called as SCALE.

4. Types of Scale
– Nominal Scale
– Ordinal Scale
– Interval Scale
– Ratio Scale

5. Nominal Scale
• The nominal or classificatory scale is the most simple
scale that is used in statistics and research.
• This scale does not provide numerical values to the
variables.
• Kumar R. (2000) defines nominal scale as the
classifications of individuals, objects or responses based
on common or shared property or characteristics.
• This scale is most commonly used to categorize ‘gender’
or other simple variables, such variables do not have
numerical values.
• It is least precise of all basic scales.

6. Ordinal Scale
• The ordinal scale has the properties of the
nominal scale, but it is a little more advanced
than nominal scale.
• The values are arranged either in ascending or
descending order, so there is an ordered
relationship between the values in the scale.
• The common arithmetical operations like
addition, subtraction etc. cannont be used with
ordinal scale.
• It is more precise.

7. Interval Scale
• The interval scale has the properties of the ordinal and
nominal scale, which means that it assigns unique values
to the each value under study and it also categorizes the
values in ascending or descending order.
• The unique property of the interval scale is that it
categorize the values in equal intervals.
• Most psychological tests and inventories are based on
interval scales.
• One can use addition and subtraction

8. Ratio Scale
• This scale has all the properties of the previous scales
plus one of its own properties that it has a fixed zero
point, and below that point, no value exists.
• Every value can be measured from an absolute zero point
or starting point, due to this property this scale is called
as an absolute scale .
• Weight and height are the best examples of variables
that can be measured on the ratio scale, they have an
absolute zero point and no value exists below that.

9. Summary
• Each higher scale can transfer into lower scale,
but vice versa is not applicable.

10. Acknowledgment
• Swayam “Academic Writing” Course.

11. Feedback about the academic writing
• With this course i got full information about
writing the research article.
• The course helps me to get pin point
information about the methodology for
literature review.
• Overall this course is really very important for
a beginner like me.

12. THANK YOU