If objects are measured using a scale with equal intervals, but no absolute zero, the data are called ______ data.
ordinal
ratio
interval
nominal
The data is called "interval" data.
To arrive at this answer, we need to understand the different types of measurement scales used in data analysis:
1. Nominal: This is the lowest level of measurement and involves categorizing data into distinct groups or classes. Examples include gender (male or female), eye color (blue, brown, green), or political affiliation (Democrat, Republican, Independent).
2. Ordinal: The ordinal scale builds on the nominal scale but adds the notion of order or rank among the categories. In other words, the categories can be arranged in a meaningful sequence. A typical example is rating satisfaction levels such as "poor," "fair," "good," and "excellent."
3. Interval: The interval scale has equal intervals between values, but there is no absolute zero point. This means that zero doesn't represent the complete absence of the measured attribute. For example, temperature measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit is an interval scale since zero degrees does not mean no temperature. In our case, if objects are measured using a scale with equal intervals but no absolute zero, the data falls under the interval measurement.
4. Ratio: The ratio scale is similar to the interval scale but has an absolute zero point. The zero represents the complete absence of the measured attribute. Examples of ratio data include height, weight, time, or age.