Ordinal data is a type of data that is ranked or ordered in some way. It is often used to measure variables that can be placed in a specific order, but the intervals between the values may not be equal. Some examples of ordinal data include:
- Social class: Ordinal data can be used to rank people according to their social class, such as lower class, middle class, and upper class.
- Likert scale: A Likert scale is a type of survey question that asks respondents to rate their level of agreement or disagreement with a statement on a scale of 1 to 5 (or 1 to 7). The scale is ordinal because the numbers represent a ranking of the respondent’s level of agreement, but the intervals between the values are not equal.
- Letter grades: Letter grades, such as A, B, C, D, and F, are often used to rank students’ performance in school. The grades are ordinal because they represent a ranking of the student’s performance, but the intervals between the grades are not equal.
- Military rank: Military ranks, such as private, corporal, sergeant, and lieutenant, are an example of ordinal data because they represent a ranking of an individual’s position in the military, but the intervals between the ranks are not equal.
- Customer satisfaction: Customer satisfaction surveys often use ordinal data to rank customers’ level of satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 5 (or 1 to 10). The scale is ordinal because it represents a ranking of the customer’s satisfaction, but the intervals between the values are not equal.
