Graziano & Raulin
Research Methods (9th edition)
Describing the Sample
Ordered Data
Describing the sample on variables that produce ordered data is much the same as describing the sample on variables that produce nominal data. An example of ordered data might be course grades (A, B, C, D, or F). Since you are not sure the the distance between categories is equal, it is best to report the data cautiously as a frequency distribution. See Chapter 5 for details on how to set up a frequency distribution.
In some cases, one might have more confidence that the variables approach the level of score data. For example, if you felt that the distances between course grades were reasonably equal, you could treat them as if they were equal and compute a mean of the grades after converting As to 4.0, Bs to 3.0, and so on.
Are there other demographic variables
that should be summarized and/or tested?
If so, click the RETURN button.
Otherwise, Click the PROCEED button.