Liz CA Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 I have to take another statistics class for my next degree. I am having trouble distinguishing the ordinal from the scale variable. I read something the other day that seemed to clarify it in my head but then I second guess myself again. I am usually clear on nominal variable, I can discern the dependent variable and the independent one but can someone give me a foolproof method of distinguishing between ordinal and scale variable? Quote
Tiberia Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 Nope. Hope someone can understand what you wrote and help you outðŸª. While you're waiting, have some chocolate. 3 Quote
fdrinca Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 Does it help to remember that ordinal variables are categorical and scale variables are quantitative? The biggest difference - the reason it matters - is that categorical data are discrete while quantitative data can be continuous. Consider the difference between two types of data: 1. Weight, which can take any value (1 gram, 11.5 grams, 3892798 grams, etc) 2. Race results, which can only take certain values (1st, 4th, 98273973th) 2 Quote
Liz CA Posted January 30, 2016 Author Posted January 30, 2016 Does it help to remember that ordinal variables are categorical and scale variables are quantitative? The biggest difference - the reason it matters - is that categorical data are discrete while quantitative data can be continuous. Consider the difference between two types of data: 1. Weight, which can take any value (1 gram, 11.5 grams, 3892798 grams, etc) 2. Race results, which can only take certain values (1st, 4th, 98273973th) Yes, thank you! I can remember this. Somehow the word "scale" always threw me off. 1 Quote
Liz CA Posted January 30, 2016 Author Posted January 30, 2016 Only on this board can you get stats help at midnight. :) 3 Quote
wintermom Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 Only on this board can you get stats help at midnight. :) Taking a stats class is like learning a foreign language (or taking a language class after a long break). It takes a while to gain a deep and automatic understanding of the terms if you don't use them often. On the bright side, your brain is really going to get stretched during this course! ;) All the best! 1 Quote
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