Interval scale

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Definition

Interval scale A measurement system where the values for a variable are all equally spaced. One of four levels of measurement. Interval data may be discrete or continuous. A variable measured on an interval scale is classified as a quantitative variable. Interval scales have an arbitrarily-assigned zero point.

Examples

The following are examples of interval scales:

• Fahrenheit scale of temperature -- the difference between 30 degrees and 40 degrees represents the same temperature difference as the difference between 80 degrees and 90 degrees, because each 10 degree interval has the same physical meaning (in terms of the kinetic energy).
• Age
• Height

Web Resources

Online Statistics: An Interactive Multimedia Course of Study, Chapter: 1. Introduction, Section: Levels of Measurement. Wikipedia's Level of measurement, Interval scale.

Acknowledgements

Portions of this entry were adapted from

• Interval Scales at Online Statistics Education: An Interactive Multimedia Course of Study. Project Leader: David M. Lane, Rice University. Retrieved 21 February 2012.