Nominal scales ecture 2 Nominal data is the simplest form of data in which data falls into unordered Types of Data to represent non-numeric categories Nominal data can have two or more categories Where there are only two categories variable(or indicator) is generally referred to as dichotomous or binary Types of data Nominal scales (levels of measurement) The most common example of this type of variable is SEX. There are two categories Data(variables)can be classified into four male and female, and there is no logical main types: nominal, ordinal, interval and order in the categories. That s, one ratio gory is not higher bigger, or bet Understanding the type of data you are than the other. It is standard practice for using is important because some males to be given the value 1 and females statistical measures are only meaningful the value 2, although there is no statistical for some types of data or mathematical reason for this1 1 Lecture 2 Types of Data 2 Types of data (levels of measurement) • Data (variables) can be classified into four main types: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. • Understanding the type of data you are using is important because some statistical measures are only meaningful for some types of data. 2 3 Nominal scales • Nominal data is the simplest form of data in which data falls into unordered categories. Essentially, numbers are used to represent non-numeric categories. Nominal data can have two or more categories. • Where there are only two categories the variable (or indicator) is generally referred to as dichotomous or binary. 4 Nominal scales • The most common example of this type of variable is SEX. There are two categories, male and female, and there is no logical order in the categories. That is, one category is not higher, bigger, or better than the other. It is standard practice for males to be given the value 1 and females the value 2, although there is no statistical or mathematical reason for this