What Is Ordinal Data? Know How It Is Corrected & Analyzed

  +61 483982483   +61 483982483

Grammar Checked Content

You must have heard about the four major data types: ordinal, nominal, interval, and ratio. So, in this blog, we will discuss the first type of data, ordinal data. Here, we will discuss everything that you must know. It is a challenging concept that is even more challenging to collect and analyse. But, good for you, we have correctly broken down this topic for your better understanding. So, let us start with understanding what is ordinal data first, from the following section. 

Know What Is Ordinal Data

Ordinal data is ranked in a natural order or a hierarchy, so they are termed ordinal data.It is a type of qualitative data classified into different categories within a variable. Moreover, it is non-numerical data categorised into order and rank based on a hierarchical scale. Just like we set the tune from high to low, similarly, it is also presented in that manner.

The ordinal type of data is ranked second in terms of complexity after nominal data. Moreover, to gather this type of information, you need to gather feedback from the customer and analyse different aspects like education and economic status. Moreover, it is crucial for you to know the characteristics of ordinal data to analyse it better. Thus, for that purpose, you must move to the next section and learn about it.

Characteristics of Ordinal Data

It is crucial to look at different characteristics to understand what is ordinal data and its analyses. Moreover, it is also helpful to understand them better. You will get an idea about how you can identify them and distinguish them from the other types of data forms. Therefore, you should go through the following pointers and understand its characteristics.

Ordered Categories

When it comes to ordinal data, you must notice that it is always in a logical order and follows a ranking system. Moreover, they also have a label that categorising them as non-numeric type of data. they are always set into a hierarchy that is also known as a natural order. 

Unequal Intervals

The following characteristic is that in ordinal data, the gaps are not uniform between the categories. You can figure out the data just by inspecting the gaps between them. It is a common feature of this data type that you can use to identify or analyse.

Qualitative/Quantitative

Ordinal data can be numerical or descriptive, it has qualities from both quantitative and qualitative  traits. That is why it is upto you to distinguish it. One of the example of this type is likert scale, as it contains both qualitative and quantitative type of data.

Comparable

Ordinal data are comparable, even so they are categorically ranked. They only show order but not the exact differences. That is why they are comparable to other similar types of data.

Non-Arithmetic

Ordinal data are non-arithmetical, the sequences is different and the difference between consecutive terms are not same. That is why there is no difference in the sequence because it is not arithmetic. It uses median or mode, but can not be used with mean.

Common in Surveys

Ordinal data are common in the surveys and can be used for rankings, ratings, or for different levels. Moreover, there are different frequency also, that is low, medium or high. It is one of the most interesting characteristic is ordinal type of data. 

The above are some of the common characteristics that you can use to identify and analyse ordinal data. Go through all the above pointers to understand about it. Moreover, it will also help you to understand how you can gather data and not get confused. You can also move to the next section to know the process of collection.

How to Collect Ordinal Data?

The most important part of learning about ordinal data, is to learn the process of collecting it. As a student, you must know the correct and easy way to gather data that can save you from all the hassle. Thus, we have bought this section, here we will discuss different methods of collecting ordinal data, brainstorm by experts themselves. Thus, you must go through the following pointers and know about the method.

Surveys & Questionnaire

The first and the most common is the method of conducting surveys and questionnaires. It is an effective way to get raw information from the customers themselves. You can conduct interviews regarding the product that you are analysing or simply ask questions to random people about it.

Rating Scales

There are two types of rating scales: semantic differentiation and Likert scale. With both of these scales, you can measure the attitude, opinions, and motivations of the participants. There are different options to rate, including moderate or neutral options. You can rate it according to the surveys that you conducted.

Ranking System

The next is called the ranking system, it is used for identifying the preferences and priorities of the people. With these you can easily collect ordinal data with the help of genuine feedback by the people. That is why you must use this method for gathering the information.

Observational Data

In this type of data collection, you need to focus on the behaviour of the people. Observational data is collected by using your skills to observe the behaviour and attitude of different people. It will help you understand it properly and gather ordinal data properly.

Digital Tool

The next effective method is usage of digital tools for this purpose. One of the most common example of this is the use of google form. It is an effective and an easy way to gather the information, as here you can just put out the questions and you do not have top do the manual work. That is why it is better that you use digital tools if you want to save time and make your process effective.

All the above steps are an efficient way to gather ordinal data quickly. Moreover, they are collected by experts and written from personal experience. Thus, you must read the above pointers and apply them in your research and also use grammar check free for make it flawless. Moreover, it is time to learn about analysing the data, as collecting the data is just adding the ingredients to the dish, but analysing is the part where you taste and judge the dish. So, the following section will guide you in the process.

Curious to Know About Our Writing Excellence ?

Go Ahead and Check Out Our Customer Reviews

Check Review Order Now

How to Analyse Ordinal Data?

To analyse the data collected, you need to use your critical and analytical thinking skills. Moreover, there are several ways of doing that. Thus, this section has been brought to you to make you understand how you can take the next step, which is analysing. For this purpose, experts mostly use statistical tools to make their tasks easier. But, you may need guidance for understanding how to analyse ordinal data, which is why you should go through the following pointers to learn about it.

Median & Mode

Firstly, you can use mode or median to find out the central tendency of the data. It is a way of using descriptive statistical methods. An example of this can be a survey asking 30 participants to present their level of agreement about something. Then, you can just use i=the method of median/mode for analysing.

Frequency Distribution

Another method of analysing data is frequency distribution. Here, you need to create a frequency distribution table that tells you how many times the people clicked on a certain response. This will give you a clear idea of each response, and then you can easily analyse it.

Cross Tabulation

Cross tabulation is a precise reference where you create a two or more-dimensional table for recording the frequency of a number. Similarly, in the other table, you can describe the characteristics of the same response. It is a way that can help you get a wealth of information and help you perform better analyses, too.

Ordinal Logistic Regression

Ordinal logistics regression: do not scare out your wits by reading the word, we are going to make it simpler for you. It is term that you can use for predicting an ordinal dependent variables. You can use this method for analysing ordinal data properly.

Visualisation

Last but not least, it is essential to visualise your data. It is a crucial part of analysing your data properly. For this purpose, you can present it on a bar graph. Categorise the data on the x-axis and y-axis. It will adequately plot the data for you, and you will understand it better.

The above are practical pointers that you can use to analyse ordinal data. All these pointers are tried and tested methods experts use for their purpose. That is why you can also use them for your process. Moreover, you can also look at the following section, where you will find ordinal data examples.

Example of Ordinal Data

In this section, you will find ordinal data examples gathered by experts. Reading the example below will help you learn about this data type properly. So, go through the following, and you will better understand what it is.

You must have understood ordinal data with the help of the above example. Thus, this is what this type of data looks like. However, if you still confuse it with nominal data. Then, you must go through the following section, where we will discuss the difference between the two.

Nominal vs. Ordinal Data

Most students struggles with finding out the difference between nominal and ordinal data. However, nominal data is another type of qualitative data used for labeling variables without any specific order or ranking. But as you know, that ordinal data are ranked in order. So, to discover about the differences between them, you must go through the following pointers.

• Ordinal data has a natural and predetermined order and ranking, while nominal data is classified without an order.
• Ordinal data are comparable and can be compared with another in terms of ranking, but nominal data can not be compared as it does not have any ranking.
• Nominal data do not have any quantitative value, but in ordinal data you can assign numbers to it, it is considered "in-between" qualitative and quantitative data.

The above pointers can help you learn the difference between nominal and ordinal data. Some students may consider them similar, but they are two different types of data. That is why you must read the above pointers to understand about the differences between the two. It will also help you understand how to use it in your academic tasks. However, you can also get assistance from us at our platform Global Assignment Help Australia. Wondering how? Well, move to the following section for that.

Get Our Help for Analysing Ordinal Data

You must have understood all about ordinal data, with this informative description about it. We have tried to cover every crucial aspect of it for you. However, analysing and handling data is not everyone’s cup of tea. So, you can get assistance from us for that purpose. At Global Assignment Help Australia, you get assistance from renowned experts for your academic tasks. Moreover, with us, you can improve your scores effortlessly. Thus, do not waste your time and get online assignment help from us now!  

You May Also Like To Read-

What Is Statistical Analysis? Its Meaning & Techniques

What Is Qualitative Research? Explore This Ultimate Guide!