Before a statistical analysis can be conducted, the dependent variable has to be measured. Exactly how the measurement is carried out depends on the type of variable involved in the analysis. Although procedures for measurement differ in many ways, they can be classified using categories are called “scales,” Nominal scale- these scales are used to name or categorize responses (eg.) gender, handedness, favorite color, and religion. Nominal scales do not imply any ordering among the responses so when classifying people according to their favorite color, there is no sense in which green is placed “ahead of” blue. Responses are merely categorized. Nominal scales embody the lowest level of measurement. Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011). Ordinal scale- Unlike nominal scales, ordinal scales allow comparisons of the degree to which two subjects possess the dependent variable, (eg.) the satisfaction of the purchase of a refrigerator ordering makes it meaningful to assert that one person is more satisfied than another with their refrigerator. The differences between adjacent scale values do not necessarily represe
nt equal intervals on the underlying scale giving rise to the measurements. Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011). Interval scale- interval scales are numerical scales in which intervals have the same interpretation throughout. (eg) the difference between 30 degrees and 40 degrees represents the same temperature difference as the difference between 80 degrees and 90 degrees. Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011). Ratio scale- The ratio scale of measurement is the most informative scale. It is an interval scale with the additional property that its zero position indicates the absence of the quantity being measured. Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011). Statistics might be utilized in my own evidence-based practice by using these scales to assess the equality of patient car at my hospital. Reference: Introduction to Measurement and Statistics. Retrieved from: londonessays.com Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011). Levels of Measurement. Retrieved from: londonessays.com Polit, D. F. & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.