Scale

The spatial, temporal, quantitative, or analytical dimensions used to measure and study any phenomenon

Extent

The size of the spatial, temporal, quantitative, or analytical dimensions of a scale

Resolution

The precision used in measurement

Grain

The finest unit of resolution possible using a particular scale

Hierarchy

A conceptually or causally linked system of grouping objects or processes along an analytical scale

Inclusive Hierarchy

Groups of objects or processes that are ranked as lower in a hierarchy are contained in or subdivisions of groups that are ranked as higher in the system (e.g. modern taxonomic classifications – kingdom, phylum, subphylum, class, family, genus, species)

Exclusive Hierarchy

Groups of objects or processes that are ranked as lower in a hierarchy are not contained in or subdivisions of groups that are ranked as higher in the system (e.g. military ranking systems – general, captain, lieutenant, sergeant, corporal, private)

Constitutive Hierarchy

Groups of objects or processes are combined into new units that are then combined into still new units with their own functions and emergent properties

Levels

The units of analysis that are located at the same position on a scale. Many conceptual scales contain levels that are ordered hierarchically, but not all levels are linked to one another in a hierarchical system

Absolute scale

The distance, time, or quantity measured on an objectively calibrated measurement device

Relative scale

A transformation of an absolute scale to one that describes the functional relationship of one object or process to another (e.g. the relative distance between two locations based on the time required by an organism to move between them)