1. Intro to Stats and Collecting Data
Intro to Stats
3:13 minutesProblem 1.2.25
Textbook Question
The items below appear on a physician’s intake form. Determine the level of measurement of the data for each category.
a. Temperature
b. Allergies
c. Weight
d. Pain level (scale of 0 to 10)
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Understand the four levels of measurement in statistics: Nominal, Ordinal, Interval, and Ratio. Nominal data is categorical without a meaningful order, Ordinal data has a meaningful order but no consistent difference between values, Interval data has consistent differences but no true zero, and Ratio data has consistent differences and a true zero point.
Step 2: Analyze the first category, 'Temperature'. Temperature is measured on an interval scale because it has consistent differences between values (e.g., 1 degree difference is the same across the scale), but it does not have a true zero (e.g., 0 degrees does not mean 'no temperature').
Step 3: Analyze the second category, 'Allergies'. Allergies are nominal data because they are categorical and do not have a meaningful order (e.g., peanut allergy is not 'greater' or 'less' than pollen allergy).
Step 4: Analyze the third category, 'Weight'. Weight is measured on a ratio scale because it has consistent differences between values and a true zero point (e.g., 0 weight means no weight).
Step 5: Analyze the fourth category, 'Pain level (scale of 0 to 10)'. Pain level is ordinal data because the values have a meaningful order (e.g., 5 indicates more pain than 3), but the differences between values are not necessarily consistent (e.g., the difference in pain between 2 and 3 may not be the same as between 7 and 8).
Verified video answer for a similar problem:This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above
Video duration:
3mWas this helpful?
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Levels of Measurement
Levels of measurement refer to the different ways data can be categorized and quantified. There are four primary levels: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. Each level has distinct characteristics that determine how data can be analyzed and interpreted. Understanding these levels is crucial for correctly identifying the nature of the data in the given categories.
Recommended video:
Guided course
10:28
Difference in Proportions: Hypothesis Tests Example 1
Nominal and Ordinal Data
Nominal data represent categories without any inherent order, such as the presence or absence of allergies. Ordinal data, on the other hand, involve categories with a meaningful order but no consistent difference between them, like pain levels rated from 0 to 10. Recognizing the difference between these types is essential for determining how to analyze and interpret the data accurately.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:39Visualizing Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data
Interval and Ratio Data
Interval data have meaningful differences between values but lack a true zero point, while ratio data possess both meaningful differences and a true zero, allowing for the comparison of absolute magnitudes. For example, temperature can be considered interval data, whereas weight is ratio data. Understanding these distinctions helps in selecting appropriate statistical methods for analysis.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:39Visualizing Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data
2:13mWatch next
Master Introduction to Statistics Channel with a bite sized video explanation from Patrick
Start learning
