Statistics Section 12: Types of Variables

What is the term for the characteristics of individuals about which we collect information?

Which type of variable has a natural order?

What is an example of a discrete quantitative variable?

Which type of variable is a categorical variable?

What is an example of a nominal qualitative variable?

Which type of variable includes mileage of a car and person's age?

Types of Variables

Variables are characteristics of individuals about which we collect information
Variables can be divided into two categories: qualitative and quantitative

Qualitative Variables

Qualitative variables are categorical variables
Examples of qualitative variables: person's gender, color of a car
Qualitative variables can be further divided into ordinal and nominal
Ordinal qualitative variables have a natural order (e.g., letter grades)
Nominal qualitative variables do not have a natural order (e.g., state of residence, gender)

Quantitative Variables

Quantitative variables are numerical variables
Examples of quantitative variables: mileage of a car, person's age
Quantitative variables can be divided into discrete and continuous
Discrete quantitative variables have whole numbers (e.g., age of a person on their birthday, number of siblings a person has)
Continuous quantitative variables have all numbers, including decimals and fractions (e.g., height of a person, distance a person commutes to work)

Test your understanding of variables in statistics, including qualitative and quantitative variables. Learn how to categorize and analyze data collected from individuals. This quiz covers the basics of variables and their characteristics.