Page 93 - DMGT404 RESEARCH_METHODOLOGY

Unit 5: Measurement and Scaling Techniques

5.1.4 Ratio Scale Notes

Ratio scale is a special kind of internal scale that has a meaningful zero point. With this scale,
length, weight or distance can be measured. In this scale, it is possible to say, how many times
greater or smaller one object is being compared to the other.
These scales are used to measure actual variables. The highest level of measurement is a ratio
scale. This has the properties of an interval scale together with a fixed origin or zero point.
Examples of variables which are ratio scaled include weights, lengths and times. Ratio scales
permit the researcher to compare both differences in scores and in the relative magnitude of
scores. For instance, the difference between 5 and 10 minutes is the same as that between 10 and
15 minutes, and 10 minutes is twice as long as 5 minutes.
Given that sociological and management research seldom aspires beyond the interval level of
measurement, it is not proposed that particular attention be given to this level of analysis.
Suffice it, to say that virtually all statistical operations can be performed on ratio scales.

Characteristics

1. This scale has an absolute zero measurement.
2. For measuring central tendency, geometric and harmonic means are used.
Use: Ratio scale can be used in all statistical techniques.

Example: Sales this year for product A are twice the sales of the same product last year.
Statistical implications: All statistical operations can be performed on this scale.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. ....................... scale may tell us "How far the objects are apart with respect to an attribute?"
2. Ratio scale is a special kind of internal scale that has a meaningful .................................

5.2 Techniques of Developing Measurement Tools

The scale construction techniques are used for measuring the attitude of a group or an individual.
In other words, scale construction technique helps in estimate the interest or behaviour of an
individual or a group towards others or another's environment rather than oneself. While
performing a scale construction technique, you need to consider various decisions related to the
attitude of the individual or group. A few of these decisions are:
 Determining the level of the involved data; identifying whether it is nominal, ordinal,
interval or ratio.
 Identifying the useful statistical analysis for the scale construction.
 Identifying the scale construction technique to be used.
 Selecting the physical layout of the scales.

 Determining the scale categories that need to be used.
There are two primary scale construction techniques, comparative and non-comparative. The
comparative technique is used to determine the scale values of multiple items by performing

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