Question

Identify the level of measurement of the​ data, and explain what is wrong with the given calculation.

In a set of​ data, mood levels are represented as 10 for bad, 20 for OK, and 30 for good. The average​ (mean) of the 672 mood levels is 25.4.

The data are at the _______level of measurement.

a. Nominal
b. Ordinal
c. Interval
d. Ratio

Answer 1

b. Ordinal

Average (mean) should not be used.

Explanation:

In this situation, the numbers are used simply as a representation of order to better classify the different moods and thus hold no quantitative value. Therefore, the data are at the ordinal level of measurement.

Since this type of measurement is not quantitative, it does not make sense to calculate its average since it holds no actual value.