nominal scale

[/ˈnɒmɪnəl skeɪl/]
nounpl: nominal scales
escala nominal
1. A measurement scale used in statistics that categorizes data into distinct, non-overlapping categories with no inherent order or ranking, where categories are identified by names or labels only
In the survey, gender was measured on a nominal scale with categories: male, female, and other.
Na pesquisa, o gênero foi medido em uma escala nominal com categorias: masculino, feminino e outro.
2. The lowest level of measurement in statistics, where data can only be classified and counted, but not ordered or subjected to mathematical operations
Eye color is typically measured using a nominal scale since there is no natural ordering of colors.
A cor dos olhos é tipicamente medida usando uma escala nominal, pois não há uma ordenação natural das cores.
This is a technical term primarily used in academic and research contexts in both Brazil and the USA. It is fundamental to statistics, research methodology, and data analysis courses taught in universities. The concept is universally understood among researchers and statisticians across both countries and Portuguese-speaking regions.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
categorical scalequalitative scaleclassificatory scale
Antonyms / Antônimos
ratio scaleinterval scaleordinal scale

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
escala nominal
Standard term used in academic and statistical contexts throughout Brazil
Academic Portugal
escala nominal
Term used in Portuguese statistics and research methodology texts
USA
nominal scale
Standard terminology in English-language statistics and research courses

Related Words

measurement scalecategorical datafrequency distributionchi-square testqualitative variable

Related Idioms & Phrases

measurement by name only
categorical classification
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