Microcase Exercise on Levels of
Measurement.
This week's exercise will focus on levels of measurement.
First, open the Microcase software and open the NES data set.
We will then examine the "variable descriptions" for a number of
variables. You will find these descriptions in the little box on
the corner of the variable selection box. After leading NES from
the File & Data Menu, go to the "Statistics Menu" and click on
Univariate. Select the variable you need and look in the variable
description box.
Determine whether the variable is
- a nominal variable with a set of more than two categories that
are not in logical order
- an ordinal variable with a set of more than two categories that
are in a logical order, but with no specified distance between them
- an interval or ratio variable with more than two categories and a
numerically specified distance between them
- or a dichotomous or dummy variable with only two categories.
We combined ratio and interval for this exercise since this distinction
does not matter for the statistics used. The distinction between
nominal and dichotomous variables is statistically important.
This is adapted from a question on page 159 of Ayers. Ayers goes
on to explore some of the statistical issues not covered here.
- For variable 10)POL.INTER, is the level of measurement
1. nominal 2. ordinal 3.
ratio/interval 4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
- For variable 9) DENOM, is the level of measurement 1.
nominal 2. ordinal 3. ratio/inerval
4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
- For variable 4) # CHILDREN, is the level of measurement
1. nominal 2. ordinal 3.
ratio/interval 4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
- For variable 47) HOME TYPE, is the level of measurement
1. nominal 2. ordinal 3.
ratio/interval 4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
- For variable 21) GIVE PARTY, is the level of measurement
1. nominal 2. ordinal 3.
ratio/interval 4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
- For variable 2) AGE, is the level of measurement 1.
nominal 2. ordinal 3.
ratio/interval 4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
- For variable 15) POL PARTY, is the level of measurement
1. nominal 2. ordinal 3.
ratio/interval 4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
- For variable 14)CARE HOUSE, is the level of measurement
1. nominal 2. ordinal 3.
ratio/interval 4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
- For variable 7)HISPANIC, is the level of measurement
1. nominal 2. ordinal 3.
ratio/interval 4. a dichotomy (or dummy)
Once you have answered these, open the Levels of Measurement Exercise
and enter your answers for grading.