ORDINAL VARIABLE Meaning and
Definition
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An ordinal variable is a type of categorical variable that represents the measure of a characteristic or attribute in a specific order or ranking. It is a quantitative variable that denotes a natural order or sequence between its distinct categories, but the intervals between the categories may not have a consistent magnitude or be equidistant.
Unlike nominal variables that only categorize data into different groups without any inherent order, ordinal variables possess a natural hierarchy among their categories. This hierarchy implies that one category is considered higher or lower than another, or that there is a progression or progression from one category to the next. However, the specific magnitude or difference between categories may not be clearly defined.
For example, a survey asking respondents to rate their satisfaction level with a product on a scale of "very unsatisfied," "unsatisfied," "neutral," "satisfied," and "very satisfied" provides an ordinal variable. While the categories have a clear order, the actual difference or magnitude of satisfaction between each category is subjective and may vary from person to person.
Ordinal variables are often analyzed using statistical techniques that consider the ranking or order of the categories, such as non-parametric tests or rank-based methods. They provide valuable insights in various fields, including market research, social sciences, and psychology, to understand preferences, attitudes, opinions, or evaluations within a given hierarchy or ranking.
Common Misspellings for ORDINAL VARIABLE
- Ordianal Variable
- Ordianl Variable
- Ordinall Variable
- Ordinial Variable
- Ordinal Variabl
- Ordinal Varaible
- Ordinil Variable
- Ordinael Variable
- Ordinal Varable
- Ordinal Varibale
Etymology of ORDINAL VARIABLE
The word "ordinal" in the term "ordinal variable" comes from the Latin word "ordo" meaning "order" or "sequence". The term "ordinal" is used to describe variables that have a natural ordering or ranking.
