asteikolla

Asteikolla is the inessive form of the Finnish noun asteikko, meaning a scale or rating system. In Finnish, the expression on a scale is used to indicate that something is evaluated using a gradation, either numerical, qualitative, or both. It is common in surveys, reports, product reviews, and scientific texts to describe where a value lies within a predefined spectrum.

The phrase is used with both numbers and descriptors. For example, arvosana on asteikolla 1–5 (the grade on a 1-to-5 scale), or laatua arvioidaan asteikolla erittäin hyvä–hyvä (quality is rated on a scale from very good to good). Asteikolla can also refer to a physical measurement scale, such as a ruler, or to abstract scales used in psychology or social sciences, like Likert-type scales.

In statistics and measurement theory Finnish distinguishes between mittausasteikot (measurement scales) such as nominal, ordinal (järjestysasteikko), interval (interval-asteikko), and ratio (suhde-asteikko). The expression on a scale helps specify the level or category into which a value falls, which in turn affects which mathematical operations and analyses are appropriate.

Usage notes: Because different scales have different endpoints and meanings, the interpretation of a value stated as on a scale depends on the defined scale. Readers should verify the endpoints and units of the scale in use.