Chapter 1 Section 1.2 Types of Data

Define Quantitative Variables

Tell how much or how many of something there is

Define Variables

The characteristics of the individuals about which we collect information

Define Data Set

The information collected

Is this Qualitative or Quantitative? "A person's age"

This variable is quantitative because it tells how much time has elapsed since the person was born.

what are some examples of a data set

a data set on gender and a data set on race

What type of variable deals with whole numbers?

Discrete

what are two types of Quantitative Variables?

Discrete Continuous

what are the two types of variables

qualitative quantitative

Define Data

values of variables that we obtain

Define Continuous

Can take on any value in some interval

Define Qualitative Variables

Classify individuals into categories

What type of variable deals with non whole numbers?

Continuous

Define Nominal

Do not have a natural ordering

Define Ordinal

Have a natural ordering

What are two types of Qualitative Variables?

Ordinal Nominal

Define Discrete

Possible values can be listed

Is this Discrete or Continuous? "Distance a person commutes to work"

This variable is continuous because distance can take on any value in an interval.

Is this Discrete or Continuous? "Height of a person"

This variable is continuous because height can take on any value in an interval.

Is this Discrete or Continuous? "Age of a person at his or her last birthday"

This variable is discrete because a person's age at his or her birthday can be listed.

Is this Discrete or Continuous? "Number of siblings a person has"

This variable is discrete because the number of siblings can be listed.

Is this Ordinal or Nominal? "Gender"

This variable is nominal because there is no natural ordering.

Is this Ordinal or Nominal? "State of residence"

This variable is nominal because there is no natural ordering.

Is this Ordinal or Nominal? "Letter grade in a class (A, B, C, D, or F)"

This variable is ordinal because there is a natural ordering. For example, grades from best to worst are A, B, C, D, F.

Is this Ordinal or Nominal? "Size of a soft drink ordered at a fast-food restaurant"

This variable is ordinal because there is a natural ordering. For example, sizes may be small, medium, large, extra-large.

Is this Qualitative or Quantitative? "A person's gender"

This variable is qualitative because it consists of the categories "male" and "female"

Is this Qualitative or Quantitative? "The color of a car"

This variable is qualitative because it consists of the categories of different colors.

Is this Qualitative or Quantitative? "The mileage of a car"

This variable is quantitative because it tells how many miles a car will go on a certain amount of gasoline.