What is the consequence of using ordinal scales incorrectly?

Using ordinal scales incorrectly can lead to arbitrary results that may lack meaningful interpretation. Ordinal scales rank items in order but do not quantify the differences between them. For instance, if one were to misunderstand the nuances of the scale, the ranking may not truly reflect the underlying data relationships or differences in magnitude. This could happen if someone assumes equal intervals between ranks, which is not the case. As a result, the data may end up conveying misleading information that does not accurately represent the situation being measured.

When ordinal scales are not applied correctly, the resulting analyses can diminish the reliability of conclusions, as the ranks assigned do not provide a valid measure of the actual characteristics being studied. This underscores the importance of understanding the nature of the scales used and how they should be properly interpreted to convey accurate insights. Hence, the consequence of misusing ordinal scales is indeed a creation of arbitrary results with little real meaning.