We find the same distance between each possible value. Examples are number of children, age, and test scores. These variables have a distinct and meaningful zero-point. Examples are temperature or distance measurements. In order to take advantage of more powerful statistical methods that can not be used at the categorical-nominal level, however, we assign a numeric value to these categories.
Statistics is mostly the manipulation of numbers.
Names are not numbers. T he level of measurement helps us decide how to interpret the data from that variable. Knowing the level of measurement helps us to decide what statistical analysis is appropriate. Use your browser's BACK button to return to previous page. Click here to return to Methods and Measurements Index.