1. Please provide a definition of the nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales and develop a simple chart with an example of each. Additionally, specify the types of statistics that might be used with each as follows:

   Type of Data	Example	Statistical Procedure
   Nominal (provide definition)
   Ordinal (provide definition)
   Interval (provide definition)
   Ratio (provide definition)

2. Conclude your discussion with a reflection on how statistics might be utilized in your own evidence-based practice.
3. Provide at least three citations with full references to credible nursing scholarly articles supporting your definitions and discussion.

In order to earn full discussion points, the following criteria must be met in full:

1.     Provide an initial post on or BEFORE Saturday.

2.    Post more than 2 comments per Discussion topic on separate days  (resulting in total participation on three different days throughout the discussion). At least two comments include a citation.

3.    Frequently attempt to motivate the group discussion.

4.    Answer all discussion question points with opinions/ideas creatively and clearly. Supports post using several outside, peer-reviewed sources (Scholarly sources… NOT internet sites).

5.    No errors with APA format.

6.    Consistently use Standard American English with no misspellings. Appropriate mechanics and formatting.

7.    The initial post must at least 200 words.  This does not include repeating the DB question or the citations and references.Class,

Before responding to this discussion, please review the following:

Levels of Measurement

Levels of Measurement: what you can and can’t do arithmetically

UsableStats: Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio

example of answer……..

Before a statistical analysis can be conducted, the dependent variable has to be measured. Exactly how the measurement is carried out depends on the type of variable involved in the analysis. Although procedures for measurement differ in many ways, they can be classified using categories are called “scales,”

Nominal scale- these scales are used to name or categorize responses (eg.) gender, handedness, favorite color, and religion. Nominal scales do not imply any ordering among the responses so when classifying people according to their favorite color, there is no sense in which green is placed “ahead of” blue. Responses are merely categorized. Nominal scales embody the lowest level of measurement. Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011).

Ordinal scale- Unlike nominal scales, ordinal scales allow comparisons of the degree to which two subjects possess the dependent variable, (eg.) the satisfaction of the purchase of a refrigerator ordering makes it meaningful to assert that one person is more satisfied than another with their refrigerator. The differences between adjacent scale values do not necessarily represent equal intervals on the underlying scale giving rise to the measurements. Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011).

Interval scale- interval scales are numerical scales in which intervals have the same interpretation throughout. (eg) the difference between 30 degrees and 40 degrees represents the same temperature difference as the difference between 80 degrees and 90 degrees. Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011).

Ratio scale- The ratio scale of measurement is the most informative scale. It is an interval scale with the additional property that its zero position indicates the absence of the quantity being measured. Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011).

Statistics might be utilized in my own evidence-based practice by using these scales to  assess the equality of patient car at my hospital.

Reference:

Introduction to Measurement and Statistics. Retrieved from: http://www2.webster.edu/~woolflm/statwhatis.html

Osherson, D. & Lane, D. (2011). Levels of Measurement. Retrieved from: http://onlinestatbook.com/2/introduction/levels_of_measurement.html

Polit, D. F. & Beck, C. T. (2012). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for  nursing practice (9th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Smith, S.S. (1995). Frequently Asked Questions About Level of Measurement. Retrieved from: http://www.people.vcu.edu/~pdattalo/702SuppRead/FAQs_measure.htm