A researcher gives several high school students the SAT to compare the scores of males and females. This variable may best be described as being measured at the ______ level of measurement.
A) nominal
B) ordinal
C) interval
D) ratio

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The SAT scores are measured on an interval level because there is a consistent unit of measurement (points) and zero does not represent the absence of the variable (a score of zero does not mean a student did not take the test). Nominal and ordinal levels are not appropriate because the variable is numeric and can be compared quantitatively, and ratio level is not appropriate because negative scores are possible in some cases.

A Researcher Gives Several High School Students the SAT to Compare