Determine the level of measurement of the data set. Explain yo...

Question

Determine the level of measurement of the data set. Explain your reasoning.

The lengths (in centimeters) of 22 Ford automobiles are listed. (Source: Automobiledimension.com)

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Accepted Answer

Hello there. Today we're gonna solve the following practice problem together. So first off, let us read the problem and highlight all the key pieces of information that we need to use in order to solve this problem. A scientist measures the volumes in liters of 12 different water bottles as follows 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5. What is the level of measurement for this data set? So it appears for this particular prom we're ultimately trying to determine what the level of measurement is for this particular data set. So now that we know what we're ultimately trying to solve for, let's take a moment to read off our multiple choice answers to see what our final answer might be. A is interval, B isnomial, C is ordinal. And D is ratio. Awesome. So first off, in order to solve this problem, let us quickly define each of our multiple choice answers. So let us define interval, nomial, ordinal, and ratio and what they all entail to select which one is the correct answer. So starting with understanding the levels of measurement, starting with gnomial level. As we should recall, for the nomial level, which I'll call NL for short, we'll call this our first one we're going to go over. And as we should recall, the nomial level definition is categories with no order or ranking. Examples of this particular level can be eye color or types of fruit. And for this particular problem, the water bottle volumes are numerical and measurable, not just categories, so it is not nomial. So I'll put an X since we know it's not nomial level. Our second one we can go over, let's go over ordinal level, which I'll call OL ordinal level for short. And as we should recall, the definition for ordinal level is ordered categories, but without meaningful differences between values and examples of the ordinal level are rankings, such as 1st, 2nd, 3, or survey ratings, such as poor, fair, or good. And for this particular problem, while the water bottle volumes are in order, the differences between values are meaningful and measurable, so it's more than just ordinal. So that means it cannot be the ordinal level. Awesome. And let's do for our third option choice. Let us go over the interval level, which I'll call IL for short. And as you should recall, the definition for interval level is numeric data with equal intervals between values but no true zero, and examples of the interval level include temperature in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. And for our particular prompt, this data has a true zero because 0 L will equal no water. So that means therefore we can make meaningful ratio comparisons. For example, 1 L is twice as much as 0.5 L. So that will mean without a doubt, it's higher than the interval. So that means without a doubt, it cannot be the interval level. And lastly, we can talk about the ratio level, and as you should recall, the definition of ratio level is numeric data with equal intervals and a true zero, and the ratios are meaningful. Examples of the ratio level include weight, height. distance, age, and volume, and for our particular problem for the given data set we know right away that the data is numerical. We also know the intervals or differences between values are equal. There is a true zero point meaning 0 L means no volume. And ratios are meaningful, meaning, for example, 1.0 L is twice as much as 0.5 L. So therefore, without a doubt, the level of measurement for this particular data set has to be ratio. So I'll put a green check mark. So that means that our final answer without a doubt has to be multiple choice answer letter D, which once again is ratio. Thank you so much for watching. Hopefully that helped, and I can't wait to see you in the next video. Bye.

Determine the level of measurement of the data set. Explain your reasoning.
The lengths (in centimeters) of 22 Ford automobiles are listed. (Source: Automobiledimension.com)
404 407 410 416 421 438 440 443 461 467 471 478 480 483 483 485 487 487 497 505 534 536

Key Concepts

Levels of Measurement

Ratio Level Data

Data Interpretation

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