A Level Psychology OCR Practice Exam

What is one type of categorical measure as defined in research studies?

1. Continuous data

2. Interval data

3. Nominal data

4. Ratio data

The correct answer is: Nominal data

Nominal data is a type of categorical measure used in research studies. It refers to data that can be categorized into distinct groups without any inherent order or ranking between those groups. For instance, nominal data can include categories like gender, hair color, or types of pets, where each category is simply a label for qualitative differences among the subjects being studied. This type of measurement is fundamental in many areas of research, as it allows for the identification and comparison of characteristics among groups. Researchers often use nominal data as a basis for classifying participants into different groups or for comparing frequencies between those groups without implying any numerical relationships. In contrast, the other types of measures mentioned, such as continuous data, interval data, and ratio data, involve numerical values and can have a natural order or scale. Continuous data represents variables that can take on an infinite number of values within a given range, while interval data and ratio data include numerical scales where the intervals between values are meaningful, with ratio data also incorporating a true zero point. Thus, nominal data stands out as the distinct categorical measure in this context.