Scales of measurement and presentation of statistical data

Ann Card Anaesth. 2018 Oct-Dec;21(4):419-422. doi: 10.4103/aca.ACA_131_18.

Abstract

Measurement scale is an important part of data collection, analysis, and presentation. In the data collection and data analysis, statistical tools differ from one data type to another. There are four types of variables, namely nominal, ordinal, discrete, and continuous, and their nature and application are different. Graphs are a common method to visually present and illustrate relationships in the data. There are several statistical diagrams available to present data sets. However, their use depends on our objectives and data types. We should use the appropriate diagram for the data set, which is very useful for easily and quickly communicating summaries and findings to the audience. In the present study, statistical data type and its presentation, which are used in the field of biomedical research, have been discussed.

Keywords: Graphical presentation; qualitative variable; quantitative variable; scales of measurement.

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research
  • Data Collection
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical*
  • Humans