Types of data
Data can broadly be classified in two main categories:
1. Qualitative data
* Descriptive: Do not include numbers or measurements.
* Examples: colors, names, opinions, textures, smells, tastes, categories and descriptions.
2. Quantitative data
* Measurable: involve numbers and can be measured or counted.
* Examples: height, weight, age, temperature, income, distance and test scores.
Quantitative data can further be classified into:
* Discrete data: Has a fixed number of values or steps.
*Examples: the number of cars in a parking lot, the number of students in a class, the number of votes in an election.
* Continuous data: can take any value in a range, including decimal numbers.
* Examples: height of a person, weight of an object, time needed to complete a task, temperature.
Understanding the data type is essential to:
* Data analysis: choose appropriate statistical methods and tools.
* Data Visualization: Selecting appropriate graphics to represent data effectively.
* Data storage: Define the necessary data structures and storage formats.
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