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Example of nominal measurements
You are about to conduct a survey of five benchmark jobs and have numbered them as follows:
| POSITION | POSITION NUMBER |
|---|---|
| Secretary | 1 |
| Stenographer | 4 |
| Clerk | 2 |
| Typist | 5 |
| CEO | 3 |
Q: What significant mathematical computations can be completed using the position numbers?
A: No significant computations can be completed.
For example: 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 15 means nothing.
Nominal measurements allow only the most limited application. For example, one can count classes (the numbers of positions numbered "2," for instance). Or, "Yes" - "No" can be counted where 0 - 1 correspond to yes and no. However, most Human Resource administrators will find that using nominal measurements in any kind of mathematical operation is bound to lead to error. For instance:
| Your Social Security Number: | 536-41-3760 |
+ |
|
| Your Spouse's Social Security Number: | 437-28-5621 |
| TOTAL: | 973-69-9381 |
The number 973-69-9381 is totally meaningless.
Memory Jogger
An example of nominal measurement is: