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Struwig and Stead (2001:155) add that to understand how to analyse a variable the researcher
should know the various levels of measurement These levels of measurement include categorical
levels of measurement (e.g. nominal or ordinal scales) and continuous levels of measurement (e.g.
interval and ratio scales).
3.6.1 Categorical Variables
Categorical variables are measured in terms of classes or categories. Slruwig and Stead
(2001:154) distinguish between nominal-scaled responses and ordinal-scaled responses. Nominal­
scaled responses have no numerical value and produce data that fit into categories (Fink, 1995:4).
Ordinal-scaled responses possess the power of rank order. The researcher made use of an ordinal
scale (e.g. annually, monthly, weekly, daily) in apart of her final questionnaire.
3.6.2 Continuous Variables
According to Struwig and Stead (2001:155), continuous variables can be measured on a
continuum rather than in a class or category. There are two types of response categories, namely
interval-scaled responses and ratio-scaled responses. The researcher made use of interval-scaled
responses for her study. The value or unit of measurement in the interval scale remains constant
throughout Its starting point is arbitrary. The differences between the scale values (e.g. essential,
very important important and not important) can be meaningfully interpreted. Each response
category is one step away from the one before and after it
3.6.3 Data Analysis Techniques
Struwig and Stead (2001:156) mention that selecting the appropriate data analysis technique is a
complex process. The researcher and the statistician discussed the various variables to be
analysed and the levels of measurement used. The data were once again screened for errors. It
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