Ratio Scale

Ratio scale refers to the level of measurement in which the attributes composing variables are measured on specific numerical scores or values that have equal distances between attributes or points along the scale and are based on a “true zero” point. Among four levels of measurement, including nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales, the ratio scale is the most precise.

Because attributes in a ratio scale have equal distances and a true zero point, statements about the ratio of attributes can be made. The score of zero in a ratio scale is not arbitrary, and it indicates the absence of whatever is being measured. Most variables in experimental sciences, particularly in behavioral sciences and natural sciences, are ratio-scale variables. One advantage of the ratio scale is ...