Question

Identify the level of measurement of each of the following variables: a)The amount of resistance a suspect displays toward the police, measured as not resistant, somewhat resistant, or very resistant B)The number of times someone has shoplifted in her or his life C)The number of times someone has shoplifted, measured as 0–2, 3–5, or 6 or more D)The type of attorney a criminal defendant has at trial, measured as privately retained or publicly funded E)In a sample of juvenile delinquents, whether or not those juveniles have substance abuse disorders F)Prosecutors’ charging decisions, measured as filed charges and did not file charges G)In a sample of offenders sentenced to prison, the number of days in their sentences

Answer 1

a)The amount of resistance a suspect displays toward the police, measured as not resistant, somewhat resistant, or very resistant

The variable is categorical variable and they can be ordered. So, the level of measurement is ordinal

B)The number of times someone has shoplifted in her or his life

The variable is a discrete variable with values 0, 1, 2,.... . The difference between variables is defined. The absolute zero for the variable is defined. So, the level of measurement is ratio

C)The number of times someone has shoplifted, measured as 0–2, 3–5, or 6 or more

The variable is a categorical variable with values 0–2, 3–5, or 6 or more . The difference between variables is not defined. The absolute zero for the variable is not defined. They can be ordered. So, the level of measurement is ordinal.

D)The type of attorney a criminal defendant has at trial, measured as privately retained or publicly funded

The variable is categorical variable with 2 levels - privately retained or publicly funded and they cannot be ordered. So, the level of measurement is nominal

E)In a sample of juvenile delinquents, whether or not those juveniles have substance abuse disorders

The variable is categorical variable with 2 levels - have substance abuse disorders or do not have substance abuse disorders. They cannot be ordered. So, the level of measurement is nominal

F)Prosecutors’ charging decisions, measured as filed charges and did not file charges

The variable is categorical variable with 2 levels - filed charges and did not file charges. They cannot be ordered. So, the level of measurement is nominal

G)In a sample of offenders sentenced to prison, the number of days in their sentences

The variable is a discrete variable with values 1, 2,.... . The difference between variables is defined. The absolute zero for the variable is not defined because the offenders is sentenced to prison for days greater than 0. So, the level of measurement is interval.