Type of data

Introduction to Statistics
Chapter 1

Larson & Farber, Elementary Statistics: Picturing the World, 3e 3
Types of Data
Data sets can consist of two types of data: qualitative data
and quantitative data.
Data
Qualitative
Data
Quantitative
Data
Consists of
attributes, labels,
or nonnumerical
entries.
Consists of
numerical
measurements or
counts.

Qualitative and Quantitative Data
Example:
The grade point averages of five students are listed in the
table. Which data are qualitative data and which are
quantitative data?
Student GPA
Sally 3.22
Bob 3.98
Cindy 2.75
Mark 2.24
Kathy 3.84
Quantitative dataQualitative data

Levels of Measurement
The level of measurement determines which statistical
calculations are meaningful. The four levels of
measurement are: nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio.
Levels
of
Measurement
Nominal
Ordinal
Interval
Ratio
Lowest
to
highest

Nominal Level of Measurement
Data at the nominal level of measurement are qualitative
only.
Levels
of
Measurement
Nominal
Calculated using names, labels,
or qualities. No mathematical
computations can be made at
this level.
Colors in
the US
flag
Names of
students in your
class
Textbooks you
are using this
semester

Ordinal Level of Measurement
Data at the ordinal level of measurement are qualitative
or quantitative.
Levels
of
Measurement Arranged in order, but
differences between data
entries are not meaningful.
Class standings:
freshman,
sophomore,
junior, senior
Numbers on the
back of each
player’s shirt
Ordinal
Top 50 songs
played on the
radio

Interval Level of Measurement
Data at the interval level of measurement are quantitative.
A zero entry simply represents a position on a scale; the
entry is not an inherent zero.
Levels
of
Measurement
Arranged in order, the differences
between data entries can be calculated.
Temperatures Years on a
timeline
Interval
Atlanta Braves
World Series
victories

Ratio Level of Measurement
Data at the ratio level of measurement are similar to the
interval level, but a zero entry is meaningful.
Levels
of
Measurement
A ratio of two data values can be
formed so one data value can be
expressed as a ratio.
Ages Grade point
averages
Ratio
Weights

Summary of Levels of Measurement
NoNoNoYesNominal
NoNoYesYesOrdinal
NoYesYesYesInterval
YesYesYesYesRatio
Determine if
one data value
is a multiple of
another
Subtract
data values
Arrange
data in
order
Put data
in
categories
Level of
measurement

Type of data

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