Years of Experience is an example of __ data.
a.nominal
b.ordinal
c.interval
d.ratio
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
b. Ordinal
Explanation:
Years of Experience is a type of ordinal data because it represents a measurable progression but does not have equal intervals or a true zero in all cases. To understand why, let’s explore the different types of data:
1. Nominal Data (Category-Based, No Order)
- Nominal data consists of labels or names without any intrinsic ranking or order.
- Example: Eye color (blue, brown, green), gender (male, female), or job title (engineer, doctor, teacher).
- Since “Years of Experience” implies a ranking (more years indicate higher expertise), it is not nominal.
2. Ordinal Data (Ordered Categories, No Fixed Differences)
- Ordinal data has a meaningful order, but the difference between values is not necessarily equal.
- Example: Education level (High School, Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD) or survey responses (poor, fair, good, excellent).
- “Years of Experience” fits here because 10 years is more than 5, but the expertise gained between years is not necessarily uniform.
3. Interval Data (Ordered, Equal Differences, No True Zero)
- Interval data has equal spacing between values but lacks a true zero point.
- Example: Temperature in Celsius (20°C to 30°C has the same difference as 30°C to 40°C).
- Since years of experience has a meaningful zero (0 years means no experience), it is not interval.
4. Ratio Data (Ordered, Equal Differences, True Zero)
- Ratio data has equal intervals and a true zero, meaning ratios are meaningful.
- Example: Height, weight, income, or age.
- Some argue “Years of Experience” can be ratio data, but because expertise does not increase linearly, it is better classified as ordinal.
Thus, Years of Experience is best considered ordinal data.