What is the main focus of nominal measures?

Nominal measures are focused on categorizing data without any numerical or ranked significance. They are used to label variables without providing any quantitative value. For instance, nominal data can include categories such as gender, race, or types of crime, where each category is distinct and does not imply any order or hierarchy between them.

This means that when using nominal measures, the main aim is simply to classify and organize items into specific groups based on shared characteristics. Unlike ordinal measures, which do provide some form of ranking (though not necessarily equidistant between values), nominal measures do not reflect dual meanings of superiority or inferiority.

In summary, the essence of nominal measures lies in their ability to categorize different entities without the introduction of any numerical values or an inherent ranking system. This clarity in categorization is essential for effectively analyzing data in various fields, including criminal justice research.