Qualitative and quantitative data
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Statistics
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Explainer Video
Summary
Qualitative and quantitative data
In a nutshell
Data comes in three forms: continuous, discrete and categoric. Each type of data has different characteristics. The type of data helps to determine how the data should be presented, whether it be a table, graph or chart.
Qualitative data
Qualitative data is data that is only available as words, and so is also described as categoric data. Because of this, there is no way to make inferences about data that has not been recorded, so line graphs and scatter graphs cannot be used for this type of data.
Example 1
Vehicle type, colour and taste are all types of categoric data.
Quantitative data
Quantitative data is data that is numeric, and comes in two forms. It is either discrete or continuous.
Discrete data
This is numeric data that can only take specified values. This means that there are certain numbers that it is impossible for the data to be, within any range.
Example 2
Shoe size, number of people in a school and number of sweets in a packet are all types of discrete data.
Continuous data
This is numeric data that can take any value within a range. Unlike discrete data, this means that for any number within a specified range, there can exist data with this value. Line graphs can be used for this type of data, which allows us make inferences about data that might not be available.
Example 3
Height, weight and time are all types of continuous data.
Data representation
Data graphic | Variable type | Example |
Scatter graph | Discrete or continuous |  |
Line graph | Discrete or continuous |  |
Bar chart | Categoric or discrete |  |
Pie chart | Categoric or discrete |  |
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
Is age a continuous data?
Yes, age is a continuous data as it can take on any value with any number of decimal places.
What is continuous data?
Continuous data is data that can take any numeric value.
What are the 2 types of data?
Data can be split into 2 categories, qualitative or quantitative. These can be further divided into more categories such as discrete or continuous data.