The appropriate measure of variability for a nominal scaled variable is the standard deviation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The standard deviation is a measure of variability that is appropriate for interval or ratio scaled variables. For nominal scaled variables, categories cannot be meaningfully ordered or compared in terms of magnitude, so measures of variability such as the standard deviation are not appropriate. Instead, measures such as frequencies, percentages or mode can be used to describe variability for nominal scaled variables.

The Appropriate Measure of Variability for a Nominal Scaled Variable