Question

Identify the level of measurement of each of the following variables: a)The amount of resistance a suspect displays toward the police, measured as not resistant, somewhat resistant, or very resistant B)The number of times someone has shoplifted in her or his life C)The number of times someone has shoplifted, measured as 0–2, 3–5, or 6 or more D)The type of attorney a criminal defendant has at trial, measured as privately retained or publicly funded E)In a sample of juvenile delinquents, whether or not those juveniles have substance abuse disorders F)Prosecutors’ charging decisions, measured as filed charges and did not file charges G)In a sample of offenders sentenced to prison, the number of days in their sentences

Answer 1

a) Variable is categorical variable and is ordered. So, the level of measurement is ordinal

b) Level of measurement is ratio because The variable is a discrete variable and the difference between variables is defined.

c) Level of measurement is ordinal because The variable is a categorical and the difference between variables is not defined

d)  Level of measurement is nominal because The variable is two levels. i.e privately retained or publicly funded, and they cannot be ordered

e) The variable has two levels. i.e  have substance abuse disorders or do not have substance abuse disorders, and they cannot be ordered. So, the level of measurement is nominal

f) The variable is categorical variable and has two levels ( filed charges and did not file charges). those are not in ordered. So, the level of measurement is nominal

g) The variable is a discrete variable and the absolute zero for the variable is not defined because the offenders is sentenced to prison for days greater than 0. So, the level of measurement is interval.