Nominal Scale and Ordinal Scale are two of the four variable measurement scales. Both these measurement scales have their significance in surveys/questionnaires, polls, and their subsequent statistical analysis. Every statistician should evaluate the difference between nominal and ordinal precisely as the other two variable scales, i.e., Interval and Ratio are articulately calculated.
Before we go ahead with the discussion about Nominal vs Ordinal scales, here is a brief description of Nominal and Ordinal levels of measurement-
Nominal Level of Measurement: In nominal level of measurement, variables are differentiated by their namings. These variables have no order or hierarchy associated with them.
Numbers associated with the names are mere tags with no mathematical aspect linked to them. These variables are descriptive in nature. In terms of statistics, nominal scale is the easiest to understand and implement. These variables have minimum two divisions such as Male/Female, Yes/No.
This scale has no numerical value, for example – gender, ethnicity, race etc.
Ordinal Level of Measurement: In ordinal level of measurement, the order of variables is critical. The difference between these variables is not established and is not an integral aspect of this measurement scale.
The variables are identified and described along with allotting a value to each of these identified variables. In market research, ordinal scales are used to analyze relative perceptions, choices, and feedbacks, i.e., marketers can evaluate the degree of customer satisfaction or happiness, understand whether their newsletters should go out more often, etc.
Nominal vs Ordinal Scales: Points of Difference
In any business, the knowledge of different measurement variables is a prerequisite as it allows owners to make well-informed and statistical decisions. Every measurement scale a unique degree of detail to offer, such as Nominal scale offers basic detail and Ratio offers maximum detail.
The difference between Nominal and Ordinal scale has a great impact on market research analysis methods due to the details and information each of them has to offer.
| Factors | Nominal Scale | Ordinal Scale |
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Description |
The variables of this scale are differentiated by their nomenclature and none other factors. There is no implied sequence in which variables exist in nominal scale |
These variables have a naturally occurring order present between them yet the difference between variables is unknown. The value of difference between two variables on this scale cannot be calculated. For instance, the order of size is small, medium, large, extra large. But Small – Medium ≠ Large – Extra Large. |
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Degree of Quantitative Value |
There is no quantitative value associated with variables on this scale. Instead, it is a qualitative measurement scale. |
Quantitative values are linked to ordinal variables but arithmetic evaluation cannot be conducted on these variables. |
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Key Differentiators |
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Examples |
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