Discussion: Levels of Measurement
Four levels of measurement-nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio-can be used with variables. The nominal level of measurement is used with variables that can be classified arbitrarily by numbers and words. For example, color is a nominal variable because numbers can be assigned to represent it (e.g., green = 1; red = 2). The ordinal level of measurement is used with variables that can be rank-ordered. An example of an ordinal variable is attitudes about the effectiveness of specific police practices in reducing crime. This particular variable requires the use of a Likert scale, in which the participants are asked whether they strongly agree, agree, are neutral, or disagree with a statement about the effectiveness of specific police practices. Based on the results of the Likert scale, the police practices could be rank-ordered according to their effectiveness.
The interval level of measurement is used with variables that have meaningful values attached to them with an equal distance between the values. Interval variables, however, do not have a true zero point. The most widely used example of an interval variable is Fahrenheit temperature, where the value of zero has no intrinsic meaning.
The last level of measurement is ratio-it has the same properties as the interval level of measurement but has a true zero point. Ratio variables are those that can be counted, such as the number of homicides in a year or the number of felony convictions.
One of the most important steps in data analysis and research is applying the correct level of measurement to each variable. Levels of measurement determine the types of statistics that should be used for analysis. If the level of measurement for a variable is incorrectly identified, the statistics will be skewed. In this Discussion, you explore levels of measurement.
To prepare:
• Recall the research problem that you identified in Week 1. Choose two variables that are pertinent to your interests.
• Consider the level of measurement that applies to each variable. Be sure that the two variables you selected require two different levels of measurement.
Post a response to the following:
• List the four levels of measurement.
• Provide an example of each of the four levels of measurement using the criminal justice research topic you chose.
• Determine whether there are variables in this relationship that could be analyzed at more than one level of measurement. Explain why.
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.