Glossary O

Ordinal measure is defined as a level of measurement describing a variable with attributes we can rank-order along some dimension. An example would be Socio-economic status as composed of the attributes high, medium, low. Please see nominal measure, interval measure, and ratio measure.

Ordinal scale is defined as a scale of measurement on which the categories have different names and are organized sequentially, such as first, second, third, etc.

Ordinality refers to a basic understanding of more than and less than relationships.

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Ordinary means of treatment are interventions to support life that have predictable and well-recognized outcomes; that offer no unusual risk, suffering, or burden for the person being treated or for others; and that are effective; such interventions are thought to be obligatory in some systems of moral theology and bioethics

Ordinate is the vertical axis (see y-axis) of a graph, upon which the levels of a dependent variable are often represented; the vertical axis (or Y-axis) in a graph.

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Oregon "Death with Dignity Act” refers to a legislation that went into effect in October 1997 in the state of Oregon which specifies the conditions under which a terminally ill, adult resident of the state is permitted to request that a physician provide a prescription for lethal medication that an individual can use to end his or her life. It is commonly described as authorizing physician-assisted suicide.

Orexin (hypocretin) refers to a neurotransmitter that stimulates acetylcholine-releasing cells and thereby increases wakefulness and arousal.

Organ and tissue transplantation when using a donated human organ or tissue to save the life or improve the quality of the life of a transplant recipient