If a set of scores is displayed in a frequency distribution bar graph, what scale of measurement was used to measure the scores?

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Multiple Choice

If a set of scores is displayed in a frequency distribution bar graph, what scale of measurement was used to measure the scores?

Explanation:
The key idea is that a bar graph for a frequency distribution is used with categorical data. The x-axis represents distinct categories or ordered categories, and each bar shows how many scores fall into that category. Because the data could be simply named categories (nominal) or categories that have an order (ordinal), bar graphs are appropriate for both. That’s why the best description is nominal or ordinal. Interval or ratio would imply a continuous measurement where the bars (in a histogram) are typically used to show a smooth distribution, with bars touching to indicate continuity. Since the question specifies a frequency distribution bar graph, it points to categorical data, hence nominal or ordinal rather than interval or ratio.

The key idea is that a bar graph for a frequency distribution is used with categorical data. The x-axis represents distinct categories or ordered categories, and each bar shows how many scores fall into that category. Because the data could be simply named categories (nominal) or categories that have an order (ordinal), bar graphs are appropriate for both. That’s why the best description is nominal or ordinal.

Interval or ratio would imply a continuous measurement where the bars (in a histogram) are typically used to show a smooth distribution, with bars touching to indicate continuity. Since the question specifies a frequency distribution bar graph, it points to categorical data, hence nominal or ordinal rather than interval or ratio.

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