Difference between cardinal and ordinal approaches

Cardinal and ordinal approaches are two different ways of measuring and comparing quantities or values.

1. Cardinal approach:
- In cardinal approach, values are assigned specific numerical values or quantities.
- It focuses on the actual numerical values of the variables being measured.
- It allows for precise measurement and comparison of quantities.
- Examples of cardinal approaches include measuring temperature in degrees Celsius or ranking students based on their test scores.

2. Ordinal approach:
- In ordinal approach, values are ranked or ordered in terms of their relative position or importance.
- It focuses on the relative ranking or ordering of the variables being measured.
- It does not assign specific numerical values to the variables, but rather ranks them in terms of their position.
- Examples of ordinal approaches include ranking students based on their performance (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.) or ordering preferences (e.g. favorite to least favorite).

In summary, the main difference between cardinal and ordinal approaches is that cardinal approach assigns specific numerical values to variables for precise measurement and comparison, while ordinal approach ranks or orders variables based on their relative position or importance without assigning specific numerical values.

Cardinal Approach

- Deals with measuring the magnitude or quantity of a variable.
- Assigns numerical values to individuals that represent the size or amount of the variable they possess.
- Assumes that the distances between the numerical values have meaningful interpretations.
- Allows for mathematical operations (e.g., addition, subtraction, multiplication) to be performed on the numerical values.

Ordinal Approach

- Ranks individuals on a variable, placing them in an order from lowest to highest.
- Assigns numerical values to individuals that represent their relative position in the rank order.
- Does not assume equal distances between the numerical values and does not allow for mathematical operations to be performed directly on them.
- Primarily descriptive, indicating the order or hierarchy of individuals rather than their specific magnitude or quantity.

Key Differences

| Feature | Cardinal Approach | Ordinal Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Measurement | Magnitude or quantity | Rank order |
| Numerical values | Represent size or amount | Represent relative position |
| Distance between values | Meaningful | Not necessarily meaningful |
| Mathematical operations | Allowed | Not allowed (directly) |
| Primary purpose | Measuring | Ordering |
| Example | Temperature in degrees Celsius | Rankings of sports teams |