Andmeskaala

Andmeskaala is a term used in Estonian statistics that translates to data scale. It refers to the measurement scale assigned to a variable and is used in data analysis to describe what kind of operations and comparisons are meaningful for that variable. The term appears in statistical textbooks, data dictionaries, and methodological discussions within Estonian-language materials.

Measurement scales are central to how data are analyzed. The common categories include nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio scales. Nominal scales classify data into distinct categories without any intrinsic order. Ordinal scales introduce a ranking among categories but do not guarantee equal intervals. Interval scales provide equal intervals between values but lack a true zero. Ratio scales have a true zero and permit meaningful statements about ratios. Some sources also recognize binary or dichotomous scales within the nominal category. The concept of andmeskaala encompasses these distinctions and their implications for analysis.

Applications of a given data scale influence the choice of statistical methods and data transformations. For nominal data, frequency tables and chi-squared tests are typical; for ordinal data, nonparametric tests are common; for interval and ratio data, parametric statistics and arithmetic operations are generally appropriate. Data may be standardized or transformed to meet analysis assumptions while preserving the interpretation of the scale.

Related concepts include measurement theory, psychometrics, and Likert-type scales, all of which interact with how data are coded and analyzed. In bilingual or multilingual contexts, andmeskaala is often translated as data scale, while in Estonian-language materials it remains the native term.