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Interval scale Definition

Ordinal scale with the additional property that the distance between observations is meaningful. An example would be the temperature. See ratio scale.

An interval scale is a type of measurement scale where the intervals between values are equal and meaningful, but there is no true zero point. It is used to measure attitudes, perceptions and preferences numerically.

What are the key aspects of an interval scale in marketing research?

• Equal spacing between values (e.g., one to five or zero to 100).
• No absolute zero – zero does not mean absence.
• Allows for the calculation of means, medians and standard deviations.
• Commonly used in Likert scales and rating scales.
• Enables comparative analysis across groups.

Why are interval scales important in market research?

It provides detailed and quantifiable data that support a wide range of statistical analyses. Interval scales enable researchers to measure customer attitudes and satisfaction with greater precision than ordinal scales.

Who relies on interval scales in marketing research?

• Survey designers.
• Consumer insights professionals.
• Advertising and brand tracking teams.
• Academic researchers.
• CX and UX measurement analysts.

How do market researchers use interval scales?

Researchers use interval scales to measure things like customer satisfaction, purchase intent or brand perception. The data is then analyzed to identify trends, test hypotheses or segment audiences based on scale-based responses.