LEVELS OF MEASUREMENT:

Measurement is the process  of assigning numbers  to  the variables. Ways  to assign these numbers include counting, ranking and comparing objects or events. Measurements, as used  in  research implies qualification of  information, that  is  the assigning of some type  of number  to  the data and numbers are then become the means of computing the information. The  aim  of measurement is  to provide accurate and  objective description of phenomena that you  can  communicate  to  others. Therefore, when  the variables is operationally defined, the investigator must assess the kind of data required in  order  to  select the  appropriate statistical test. From the point of view of statistical analyses, there are four  types of data  as  discussed below:  

Nominal Data:

Data are called Nominal  Ievel when  data  can  be placed  in  two  or more classes which are mutually exclusive or exhaustive. When you have nominal level data, you have categories with different "names"  for different groups; e.g.  Indian, American, African. The subject scale value  on  a nominal variable simply indicate the group to which he belongs. Putting people  into  the following categories would  be  other examples of Nominal Level Data:  

1) boy-girl; 

2) student and non-student;