Page 26 - DEDU504_EDUCATIONAL_MEASUREMENT_AND_EVALUATION_ENGLISH

Educational Measurement and Evaluation

Notes These unit numbers have a difference of one (1) between 40-41, and 38-39 to have a difference
of a unit number; but in this level there is no unit like zero (0) which may express absence of
trait. For example, if a student scores zero in an achievement test of a subject, it does never
mean that his achievement is nil or his ability in the subject is nil. This zero only signifies that
the student has not succeeded in solving any of the questions asked in the achievement test.
Because there is possibility that he can solve other questions of the subject, so his knowledge
in the subject cannot be zero.
It is evident that interval measurement is better than the first two types of measurements, still
it is not a fully appropriate measurement. But this type of measurement is mostly used in the
field of education.
4. Ratio Measurement : The measurement of this level possesses all the characteristics of interval
measurement, besides having the concept of true zero. The true zero is the point at which the
trait is completely absent. From the concept of this zero, the obtained results can be compared
and they can be given ratio value. So it is called ratio measurement. For example, if the weight
of Ram is 60 kg and that of Shyam 20 kg, then it can be said that the ratio in their weights is
3 : 1.
It is clear that the measurement of this level can be used for physical traits (variables), and not
for abstract traits (variables). For example,

If I.Q of Ram in an intelligence test is 150, and that of Shyam 100, then it cannot be said
that the ratio in the intelligence of Ram and Shyam is 3 : 2. Ram’s intelligence can be more
3
or less than of that of Shyam.
2

Absolute, Normative and Ipsative Measurement
On the basis of tools or devices and the results obtained therefrom, measurements are classified into
three types—Absolute measurement, Normative measurement and Ipsative measurement. We
introduce them here for your convenience.
Absolute Measurement
Absolute measurement is that measurement in which the scale starts from zero. It measures + ve on
being more than zero, and — ve on being less than zero. For example, take the temperature of a
place. It can be zero, it can be more than zero and it can be less than zero. Such measurement is
possible only in physical variables, and not in educational and psychological variables, because the
educational and psychological variables have no possibility of an absolute zero. For example, if a
student obtains zero in an achievement test, it does never mean that his ability is absolutely zero. It
only means that the student has failed to solve any of the questions asked in the achievement test.
There exists absolute zero in absolute measurement, so the analysis of its results can be carried out
on mathematical basis. For example, if the temperature of a place is 40 degrees, and that of another
place 20 degrees, then it can be said that the temperature of the first place is double than that of the
second place. Such kind of mathematical analysis cannot be carried out in the measurement of
educational and psychological variables. For example, if Student A scores 60 marks and Student B
scores 30 marks in an achievement test, then it cannot be said that the ability of Student A is double
than that of Student B in the subject. It can be more or less than double.
Normative Measurement
Normative measurement is such measurement in which the marks obtained are not affected by one
another. Its another characteristic is that there is no possibility of absolute zero in it. For example, if

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