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An instrument for measuring or rating an outcome within a given range of values.
For example, the centigrade scale on a thermometer, the metric scale (kilograms) used to measure weight, a scale used to measure pain (e.g. from 0 to 100, with 0 being no pain and 100 being the worst pain you have ever experienced), or scales used to measure depression or quality of life, which are comprised of a number of specific questions.
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