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Thang Đo
Thang Đo
Variables
A variable is an abstract category of information that can assume
different values.
Algebraic Variables
Random variables
Nominal Variables
Ordinal Variables
Interval scales
Unlike with nominal and ordinal scales, we can add and subtract
scores on an interval scale because there are meaningful distances
between the numbers.
Interestingly, the meaning of 0°C (or 0°F) is not what we are used
to thinking about when we encounter the number zero. Usually,
the number zero means the absence of something. Unfortunately,
the number zero does not have this meaning in interval scales.
When something has a temperature of 0°C, it does not mean that
there is no heat. It just happens to be the temperature at which
water freezes at sea level. It can get much, much colder. Thus,
interval scales lack a true zero.
Lacking a true zero, interval scales cannot be used to create
meaningful ratios. For example, 20°C is not “twice as hot” as
10°C. Also, 110°F is not “10% hotter” than 100°F.
Truly interval:
Temperature on the Celsius and Fahrenheit scale (not on the
Kelvin scale)
Calendar year (e.g., 431BC, 1066AD)
Notes on an even-tempered instrument such as a piano {A,
A#, B, C, C#, D, D#, E, F, F#, G, G#}
A ratio scale converted to a z-score metric (or any other kind
of standard score metric)
Nearly interval:
Most scores from well-constructed ability tests (e.g., IQ,
ACT, GRE) and personality measures (e.g., self-esteem,
extroversion).
Ratio Scales
coins
marbles
computers
speeding tickets
pregnancies
soldiers
planets
distance
mass
force
heat (on the Kelvin scale)
pressure
voltage
acceleration
proportions
Income
Age
Years of education
Reaction time
Family size
Hours of study
Percentage of household chores completed (compared to
other members of the household)