What type of measurement scale involves labeling and categorizing without a numeric order?

The nominal scale is characterized by its use of labels and categories without any inherent numeric order or ranking. It simply allows researchers to assign names or categories to different groups or characteristics, making it suitable for classification purposes. Examples of nominal data include gender, hair color, or types of animals, where each category is distinct and does not imply any order or value.

The other scales involve different levels of measurement where data can be arranged in a meaningful sequence. The ordinal scale, for instance, does provide a ranking among categories but does not specify the magnitude of difference between them. Interval and ratio scales both incorporate numeric values that allow for a defined order and the comparison of differences or ratios between values, which the nominal scale does not. Thus, the defining feature of the nominal scale is its focus on categorization without any numeric implications.