Page 41 - DEDU504_EDUCATIONAL_MEASUREMENT_AND_EVALUATION_ENGLISH

Unit 3: Scales of Measurement : Ordinal, Nominal, Interval, Ratio

(iv) A thermometer is the most appropriate example of ______. Notes
(v) The ______ is the chief feature of nominal scale.

3.7 Summary

• Each scale of measurement satisfies one or more of the following properties of measurement.
• Identity : Each value on the measurement scale has a unique meaning.
• Magnitude : Values on the measurement scale have an ordered relationship to one another.
That is, some values are larger and some are smaller.
• Equal intervals : Scale units along the scale are equal to one another This means, for
example, that the difference between 1 and 2 would be equal to the difference between 19
and 20.
• Absolute zero : The scale has a true zero point, below which no values exist.
• The basis of educational measurement are data. Whatever the type of measurement-physical,
social, economic or psychological, it is necessary to gather data. From the viewpoint of
convenience, we place the available data
• This is the lowest level of measurement. Some people call it by the name of classification
level too. Under this scale, the measured objects or events are classified into separate groups
on the basis of their certain attributes, and this group is given a separate name, number or
code for its easy identification.
• In the arrangement of scales, the ordinal scale is put at the second place from down below.
In this scale, objects, individuals, events, characteristics or responses are arranged in
hierarchical order in ascending or descending order depending on the basis of certain
attributes.
• This is the third level of measurement. This scale endeavours to do away with the limitations
of the above two scales. Under this scale, we display the difference between any two classes,
individuals or objects by the medium of scores.
• This is the highest level of measurement. This scale comprises of all features of all other
scales. The presence of exact or true zero point is the chief feature of this scale. This zero
point is not arbitrary point, rather it is related with the zero amount of certain attribute or
feature.

3.8 Keywords

Scales : A range of levels or numbers used for measuring something.
Absolute : Total and complete

3.9 Review Questions

1. What is scale of measurement ? Explain
2. What are the properties of scales of measurement
3. Explain the different scale of measurement
(i) Nominal (ii) Ordinal (iii) Interval (iv) Ratio
Answers : Self Assessment

(i) Classification level (ii) Unique
(iii) Zero point (iv) Interval scale
(v) Internal homogeneity

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 35