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Errors of Measurement in Statistics

Introduction Measurement is a crucial part of statistics and science. But no measurement is ever 100% accurate! 📏 Whether you're measuring height, weight, distance, or temperature , there’s always some error involved. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of measurement errors , how to calculate them, and ways to minimize them. Types of Measurement Errors 1️⃣ Absolute Error – The Basic Difference Absolute error is the difference between the actual (true) value and the measured value . It shows how much our measurement deviates from reality. 📌 Formula: Absolute Error = |Measured Value - True Value| 📌 Example: If the actual temperature is 38°C , but a thermometer reads 38.5°C , the absolute error = 0.5°C . 2️⃣ Relative Error – Comparing Errors Relative error helps us compare errors across different measurements by expressing the absolute error as a fraction of the actual value. 📌 Formula: Relative Error = Absolute Error / True Value 📌 Example: ...

Measurement Scales in Statistics

Introduction

Measurement Scales in Statistics

Every piece of data we collect falls under a specific measurement scale. Understanding these scales is crucial for accurate data analysis. In this blog, we break down the four measurement scales in statistics with simple, real-life examples.

1️⃣ Nominal Scale (Naming Data)

  • Data is categorised without any meaningful order.
  • Examples:
    • Types of pets: Dog, Cat, Bird
    • Favourite food: Pizza, Burger, Pasta
    • Eye colour: Blue, Green, Brown

2️⃣ Ordinal Scale (Ranking Data)

  • Data is arranged in order, but the difference between values is unknown.
  • Examples:
    • Movie ratings: 1⭐, 2⭐, 3⭐
    • Educational levels: Primary, Secondary, Higher Education

3️⃣ Interval Scale (Equal Differences, No True Zero)

  • Numeric values with equal spacing but no true zero point.
  • Examples:
    • Temperature in Celsius (0°C is not the absence of temperature)
    • IQ Scores

4️⃣ Ratio Scale (Equal Differences, True Zero Exists)

  • Numeric values with a meaningful zero.
  • Examples:
    • Height & Weight (0 cm means no height)
    • Income (Rs. 0 means no money at all)

Why Measurement Scales Matter?

These scales determine the type of statistical analysis we can perform. Understanding them helps in choosing the right test for data analysis, ensuring accurate results.

Final Thought:

Next time you collect data, ask yourself—What measurement scale am I using? 😃

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