understanding data and structured variables

  • Cases: Units for data collection, recorded as rows in a data table.

  • Variables: Characteristics of cases, corresponding to the columns in a data table.

    • Categorical Variable: Divides cases into distinct groups (e.g., movie genres).

    • Quantitative Variable: Measures numerical values (e.g., budget, ratings).

Examples

  • 2011 Hollywood Movies:

    • Cases: 136 movies.

    • Variables: Title (categorical), Lead Studio (categorical), Rating (quantitative), Genre (categorical), Budget (quantitative), Opening (quantitative).

    • Questions: Average rating? Correlation between budget and opening gross?

  • Yogurt Study:

    • Cases: Participants.

    • Variables: Yogurt consumption (categorical), Weight loss (quantitative).

    • Dataset: Shows individual yogurt intake and corresponding weight loss.

    • Explanatory Variable: Yogurt consumption.

    • Response Variable: Weight loss.

Quick Self-Quiz Examples

  1. Gun Control Support:

    • Cases: US citizens; Variables: Support (categorical).

  2. Hours of Sleep:

    • Cases: College students; Variables: Hours of sleep (quantitative).

Quiz Situations

  • Meditation effect on stress: Explanatory Variable: Meditation; Response Variable: Stress level.

  • Sugar and Hyperactivity: Explanatory Variable: Sugar consumption; Response Variable: Hyperactivity level.