Types of Data

Question	Answer
Strengths of Nominal Data	Easy from closed questions Large amounts of data quickly Reliable
Weaknesses of Nominal Data	No linear scale = unable to express degrees of response No linear scale = means cannot be assessed Can only use the model as measure of spread
What is Nominal Data?	Names / labels in any order No quantitative data e.g. hair colour
Strengths of Ordinal Data	More info than Nominal Indicates values on a scale Easy to generate from rating scales Points on linear scale = median and mode
Weaknesses of Ordinal Data	Gaps between points are relative = ppts may interpret scale differently Could make it invalid to compare them Gaps between points are not equal = median cannot be assessed
What is Ordinal Data?	Values on a scale are ordered in terms of significance / importance e.g. satisfaction scale
Strengths of Interval Data	Points of equal value = more informative Easy to generate from closed questions Points are linear with equal gaps = median, mode and mean Standard deviation can be used Reliable, scientific measurements
Weaknesses of Interval Data	Scales with no scientific measures = no absolute baseline to the scale Scoring zero could mean the scale does not measure it Could be interpreted as the ppt not demonstrating that variable at all
What is Interval Data?	Numerical scale where the order AND exact interval value is known e.g. celcius thermometer

Resource summary

	Created by Lizzy Attwood almost 8 years ago