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categories. Interval scales are numerical scales where we know
not only the order, but also the exact differences between the
values. Each interval on an interval scale is equal to every other ◆ Description, order
interval on the scale. Therefore, addition and subtraction are and distance
valid arithmetic operations on interval data but scale cannot be
multiplied or divided due to absence of true zero. Some interval
scales, like the Celsius temperature scale, do have zero points, but
they are arbitrary zero points. Arbitrary zero points do not mean
the absence of quality. For example, 0° centigrade does not mean
there is no heat, and furthermore 8° is not twice as warm as 4°.
In nutshell interval scale has the following properties:
◆ Numerically equal distances on the scale represent equal
distance in the measured property.
◆ No origin
◆ It allows comparing the differences between objects.
◆ The position of the zero point is not fixed. Both the zero point
and the units of measurement are arbitrary.
◆ It does not make sense to compare ratios of scale values.
Ratio scale
A ratio scale is a type of measurement scale that not only
establishes the order of variables but also incorporates information
about the true zero value. It is distinct from the concept of a ratio,
although ratios can be calculated using data from a ratio scale. The
key feature of ratio scales is that they possess all the arithmetic
properties of interval scales, with the addition of a true zero point.
The presence of a true zero on a ratio scale allows us to treat ratio
data as real numbers, enabling basic arithmetic operations like
addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. This property
makes ratio scales highly advantageous for a wide range of
descriptive and inferential statistics applications. Ratio scales offer
several benefits in measurement because they provide information
about the order of values, the exact magnitude of differences
between units, and they have an absolute zero point, which holds
significant meaning. For instance, a height measurement of zero
on a ratio scale would indicate the absence of existence.
The ratio scale represents the true number of variables.
Measures of physical dimensions, such as weight, height, distance, ◆ Description, order,
are examples. In general, all statistical methods are useful with distance, and origin
ratio scales, and all manipulations that can be performed with real
numbers can also be performed with ratio scale values.
In nutshell ratio scale has the following properties:
SGOU - SLM - MCom Research Methodology 103

