What type of measurement scale is a nominal scale?

What type of measurement scale is a nominal scale?

• A. A scale that categorizes without order
• B. A scale that has a defined ranking
• C. A scale that measures interval differences
• D. A scale that supports cause-effect relationships

Answer: (A)

The nominal scale is characterized by its ability to categorize data without imposing any order or ranking among the categories. This means that when you use a nominal scale, you're simply sorting data into distinct groups based on qualitative attributes. For example, in psychological research, responses like "Yes," "No," or different types of psychological disorders fall into categories, but one category does not have more or less value than another. Each category is equal in terms of measurement; thus, you cannot perform arithmetic operations on the data derived from a nominal scale. In contrast, the other options describe different types of measurement. A ranking or defined order refers to ordinal scales, which do not only categorize but also impose an order among the categories. Interval scales, on the other hand, allow for the measurement of the differences between values but require a meaningful numerical distance which nominal scales do not provide. Lastly, supporting cause-effect relationships is indicative of experimental designs that involve manipulation and controlled conditions rather than a mere categorization of variables. This context helps clarify why the nominal scale is unique to its own category system based on simple classification, devoid of inherent order.

The nominal scale is characterized by its ability to categorize data without imposing any order or ranking among the categories. This means that when you use a nominal scale, you're simply sorting data into distinct groups based on qualitative attributes. For example, in psychological research, responses like "Yes," "No," or different types of psychological disorders fall into categories, but one category does not have more or less value than another. Each category is equal in terms of measurement; thus, you cannot perform arithmetic operations on the data derived from a nominal scale.

In contrast, the other options describe different types of measurement. A ranking or defined order refers to ordinal scales, which do not only categorize but also impose an order among the categories. Interval scales, on the other hand, allow for the measurement of the differences between values but require a meaningful numerical distance which nominal scales do not provide. Lastly, supporting cause-effect relationships is indicative of experimental designs that involve manipulation and controlled conditions rather than a mere categorization of variables. This context helps clarify why the nominal scale is unique to its own category system based on simple classification, devoid of inherent order.