Types of Data Notes

Types of Data

Qualitative Data

• Qualitative data classifies individuals based on attributes or characteristics.
• Examples:
  • Hair color
  • Yes/no responses to a question
• It is non-numerical data.

Quantitative Data

• Quantitative data is numerical and can be:
  • Continuous: Can take on any value within a given range (measurements).
  • Discrete: Can only take on particular, distinct values (counts).
• Examples:
  • Counting the number of books in a library (discrete).
  • Measuring the height of people (continuous).

Examples: Determining Data Types

List of Undergraduate Majors

• Examples: Math, Pre-nursing, English.
• Type: Qualitative (non-numerical).

Number of Students in a Classroom

• Numerical data representing a count.
• Type: Quantitative.
• Since it can only take on whole number values (you can't have a fraction of a student).
• Type: Discrete.

Numbers on Basketball Jerseys

• Appear numerical but do not represent a count or measurement.
• Serve as placeholders for names.
• Type: Qualitative (despite being numbers).

Time Required to Complete an Exam

• Numerical data representing how much time has passed.
• Type: Quantitative
• Measurement with a stopwatch.
  • Can take on any value within a range (seconds, fractions of seconds).
• Type: Continuous.

Amount of Flour Required for a Recipe

• Measured by mass or volume (e.g., cups, ounces).
• Type: Quantitative.
• Since it is a measurement
• Type: Continuous.

Number of Muffins a Recipe Produces

• Countable (e.g., 12 muffins, 24 muffins).
• Type: Quantitative.
• Since it's a countable number of muffins.
• Type: Discrete.