Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Levels of Measurement in SPSS Statistics

Chapter Summary

There are three main functions of research: collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data. Researchers collect data in the field and enter them into SPSS Statistics. SPSS Statistics analyzes the data and outputs the results of the analysis. Researchers then interpret the results of the analysis to determine the outcome.

There are four traditional levels of measurement: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Nominal data are categorical and place participants into groups. Ordinal data are rank-ordered with unequal levels between the ranks. Interval data are also rank-ordered but have equal, definable levels between the ranks; Interval data is considered continuous, but with no absolute zero value. Ratio data are continuous data and do allow for an absolute zero value.

In SPSS Statistics, the levels of measurements are defined differently. The following table (also in the text) compares the differences.

Table 1.1

Summary and Comparison of Traditional and SPSS Statistics Terminology for Levels of Measurement

Traditional SPSS Statistics

Categorical Nominal

Ordinal

Categorical Nominal Ordinal

Definition

General term for nominal and ordinal Naming data Ordered data

Example

Sex: male-female Highest degree earned

Scale Interval

Ratio

Scale (Continuous)1 General term for interval and ratio

Scale

Equal intervals without absolute zero

Scale

Equal intervals with absolute zero

Multiple-choice scores Weight (in pounds)

1 SPSS Statistics uses the terms "Scale" and "Continuous" interchangeably.

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Chapter Objectives

1. Identify the major steps in conducting research. 2. Define traditional levels of measurement. 3. Define levels of measurement used by SPSS Statistics. 4. Compare traditional levels with SPSS Statistics levels. 5. Define the term variable. 6. Classify variables as categorical or scale. 7. Classify variables as nominal, ordinal, or scale.

Chapter Key Terms

Data Analyze data Systematic Level of measurement Ordinal Ratio Scale level

Collect data Interpret data Likert scale Nominal Interval Categorical level Variable

Chapter Suggested Readings/Activities

1. Suggested readings/activities available online:

? Practice: (accessed 4/29/2015) ? Practice:

x.htm (accessed 4/29/2015) ? Tutorial with video: (accessed 4/29/2015) 2. SPSS Statistics Levels of Measurement Activity (next page)

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SPSS Statistics Levels Measurement Activity

For each of the following variables, indicate the SPSS Statistics level of measurement (nominal, ordinal, scale).

Variable

Scale

Gender (male, female)

Driving distance

Self-esteem measured using Likert Scale

Weight

SAT score

Rankings of students

Student satisfaction via evaluation responses

Student satisfaction via number of days attended class

Hours worked per week

Annual salary

Preferred brand of soda

Number of broken bones in a person's lifetime

Political party affiliation

Hormone blood levels

Calories eaten per day

Calories burned per day

Type of vehicle

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SPSS Statistics Levels Measurement Activity Answer Key

For each of the following variables, indicate the SPSS Statistics level of measurement (nominal, ordinal, scale).

Variable

Scale

Gender (male, female)

Nominal

Driving distance

Scale

Self-esteem measured using Likert Scale

Scale

Weight

Scale

SAT score

Scale

Rankings of students

Ordinal

Student satisfaction via evaluation responses

Scale

Student satisfaction via number of days attended class

Scale

Hours worked per week

Scale

Annual salary in ranges (e.g., 0-$4,999, $5,000-9,999, etc.)

Ordinal

Preferred brand of soda

Nominal

Number of broken bones in a person's lifetime

Scale

Political party affiliation

Nominal

Finishing place in road race

Ordinal

Hormone blood levels

Scale

Calories eaten per day

Scale

Calories burned per day

Scale

Type of vehicle

Nominal

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Chapter 1 Test Bank Questions

1. Measuring political party affiliation by grouping individuals into such categories as Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, and so on is at what level of measurement?

a. Nominal b. Ordinal c. Interval d. Ratio

2. Measurements of temperature (in Fahrenheit and Celsius) are at what level of measurement? a. Nominal b. Ordinal c. Interval d. Ratio

3. Consider a variable that has no absolute zero (such as SAT scores) and has equal intervals. In SPSS Statistics, this variable is categorized as being which of the following?

a. Nominal b. Ordinal c. Scale

4. A data set of one hundred individuals' weight (in pounds) is at what level of measurement in SPSS Statistics?

a. Nominal b. Ordinal c. Scale

5. A researcher classified participants by the state in which they were born. The researcher has measured at what SPSS Statistics level?

a. Nominal b. Ordinal c. Scale

6. A researcher measured a variable at the ratio level. He or she has measured at which SPSS Statistics level?

a. Nominal b. Ordinal c. Scale

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