TYPES OF DATA

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chan Yuen Fook

Fakulti Pendidikan
Universiti Teknologi MARA
 DATA & CONSTRUCT

Data are the pieces of information you collect and

use to examine your topic, hypotheses, or
observations.

Constructs are abstractions that cannot be

observed directly; they are invented to explain
behavior.

Example: Leadership, Effectiveness, Efficiency,

Appropriateness, Creativity, Achievement.
 VARIABLES

A Variable is a construct that can take on two or

more values (at least two).
We deal with variables in all our research studies.

Example:
Is there a relationship between deans’ qualification
and their performance in the faculty
administration?
Variables: qualification and performance
 Dependent and Independent Variables

An independent variable is the

treatment or cause, and the
dependent variable is the outcome
or effect of the independent variable.
Example:
The Relationship between Leadership Style and Coping
Style on Job Stress and Job Satisfaction among Lecturers
in Public Universities in Malaysia
 Measurement Scales and Variables

There are four types of measurement

scales and associated variables:

Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio.
 NOMINAL VARIABLES

Nominal variables: also called categorical

variables, represent the lowest level of
measurement.
Simply classify persons or objects into two
or more categories.

Examples: gender (male, female); employment status

(full time, part time, unemployed); marital status
(married, divorced, single).
 ORDINAL VARIABLES

Ordinal variables: not only classify

persons or objects, they also rank them.
It put persons or objects in order from
highest to lowest or from most to least.
Intervals between ranks are not equal.

Examples: Academic Qualification (PMR, SPM,

STPM); Income (< RM 1000, RM 1001 – RM 2000, RM
2001 – RM 3000), Age (<30, 31-40, 41-50, >51)
 INTERVAL VARIABLES

Interval variables have all the characteristics of

nominal and ordinal variables, but also have
equal intervals.
Most of the tests used in educational research,
such as achievement, aptitude, motivation, and
attitude tests are treated as interval variables.
Do not have a true zero.

Examples: Test Scores (30, 60, 90), CGPA (2.33, 3.69,

3.88), Temperature in Celsius (0, 10, 37), IQ (125, 150,
200)
 RATIO VARIABLES

Ratio variables represent the highest level

of measurement.
A ratio variable has all the properties of the
previous three types.
It encompass mainly physical measures.
It has a true zero point.
Examples: Height (175 cm), Weight (68 kg), Time (2 hours),
Distance (10 km), and Speed (100m/10 second), Research
Grant (10K), Research Project (3 IRPA, 1 IPPTN, 2 IRDC),
Publication (Refereed Journal – 3 articles)
 MEASUREMENT SCALES & VARIABLES

Nominal Ordinal Interval Ratio

Gender Satisfaction IQ Height

Religion Exam Temperature Weight
Post Grade Score Time
Code Position in CGPA Age
Ethnic Class Grant
 SUMMARY

DATA

CONSTRUCT

VARIABLES

FOUR TYPES OF MEASUREMENT

SCALE (NOMINAL, ORDINAL,
INTERVAL, RATIO)
 QUESTIONS

Examine the four major measurement

scales and their purposes, giving an
example of each.
Thank You