ratio data
numerical values that indicate magnitude and have a true, meaningful zero point. Ratio data represent exact quantities of the variables under consideration, and when arranged consecutively they have equal differences among adjacent values (regardless of the specific values selected) that correspond to genuine differences between the physical quantities being measured. Income provides an example: The difference between an income of $40,000 and $50,000 is the same as the difference between $110,000 and $120,000, and an income of $0 indicates a complete and genuine absence of earnings. Ratio data are continuous in nature (i.e., able to take on any of an infinite variety of amounts) and of the highest measurement level, surpassing interval data, ordinal data, and nominal data in precision and complexity.