Survey or questionnaire – what's the difference? In short: the survey is the whole project, the questionnaire is the tool with the questions. We show you clearly how the two connect, when to use which term and what to watch out for in practice.
The absolute scale (Engl. "absolute scale") is a subcategory of the ratio scale and therefore has the same properties. On the absolute scale, equal intervals between two answer options as well as a natural zero point (= no negative numbers possible) are also required.
A ratio scale (ratio scale) is the highest metric scale level, used to make complex statements about relationships between different variables or measurement units.
The interval scale (Latin "intervallum" = space, distance, gap) is a metric or numerical scale in which individual units have a direct numerical value.
A cardinal scale or metric scale (English: "metric scale") refers to scale levels that, in contrast to nominal or ordinal scales, have a defined metric or numerical distance between two variables (e.g., 5°C between 15 and 20°C in temperature measurement).
The ordinal scale (English: "ordinal scale" = ranking scale) is used to place objects or characteristics in a logical ranking order (greater than, less than) with respect to a specific property.
The nominal scale (engl. "nominal scale" or "categorical scale") is the lowest scaling for measuring qualitative characteristics (gender, marital status, hair color).
The rating scale (English "rating" = evaluation or assessment) is suitable for oral or written statements such as in online surveys to record respondents' personal assessments in gradations.
Objectivity (= intersubjective comparability) means that knowledge gained must be verifiable and comprehensible independent of researchers' subjective attitudes.