When observers are asked to use a rating scale to measure a psychological dimension such as aggressiveness or anxiety,the researchers must decide whether these ratings represent a(n)
A)nominal or an interval scale.
B)nominal or an ordinal scale.
C)interval or a ratio scale.
D)ordinal or an interval scale.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Rating scales are typically either ordinal or interval scales. In an ordinal scale, the items being measured can be ranked in order, but the distance between adjacent items is not necessarily equal. For example, a rating scale assessing anxiety levels might ask participants to rate their anxiety as "low," "moderate," or "high." These categories can be ranked in order, but the difference between low and moderate may not be the same as the difference between moderate and high.

In an interval scale, the distance between adjacent items is equal, and there is an arbitrary zero point. For example, a rating scale assessing temperature might use Celsius or Fahrenheit units, which have equal intervals and a zero point that is not meaningful (i.e., it doesn't mean that there is no heat).

Therefore, if the researchers are asking observers to use a rating scale to assess a psychological dimension such as aggressiveness or anxiety, then the ratings likely represent either an ordinal scale (if the categories are not necessarily equidistant) or an interval scale (if the distance between categories is consistently meaningful).

When Observers Are Asked to Use a Rating Scale to Measure