Types of Data

This set of flashcards covers various types of data in statistics, including definitions and characteristics of nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio data.

Nominal Data

Simplest form of data whereby options are only categorized (labeled) and therefore have no intrinsic numeric value.

Ordinal Data

Options can be ranked in some order but the interval from one option to the next varies and therefore mathematical principles cannot be applied.

Interval Data

Options are not only rank ordered but also have equal intervals between each category (i.e., equidistant).

Ratio Data

Options are rank ordered, equidistant, and utilize a true zero (i.e., 0 actually means none or nothing of whatever you’re measuring).

Discrete Data

Data that can only take on certain values, typically counted values.

Continuous Data

Data that can take on any value within a range, measurable quantities.

Non-Parametric Statistics

Statistical methods that do not assume a specific distribution for the data.

Parametric Statistics

Statistical methods that assume the data follows a certain distribution.