Types Of Variables Definition

A variable, as the name suggests, is something that keeps varying. Any factor that is going to
hold varying values is called a variable. It can also be considered as a value that is not known
yet. In simple terms, any letter whose value is to be calculated or found through some
research is called a variable.

Overview
Statistics is all based on data. The data is collected from various sources in various forms
about different aspects of the population. This data collected is a major source of information.
Hence, it is important to arrange, organize, categorize and finally present the data in a manner
so that it becomes information. This information further helps in understanding the final
population better. It tells about the various attributes and features of the population. This
entire process, where the data is collected, organized and converted to useful information,
ultimately helps in making major decisions based on how the population characteristics may
behave in the near future. The whole process of statistical analysis begins from the point of
data. The collection of the correct data is the true source of information.

Data is a vast term and it includes infinite variables or characteristics. Some of the variables
obtained are not countable and some of the variables are countable. This tells us there are two
types of data: countable and uncountable.

Thus, there are two types of variables:

1.     Categorical variables

2.     Numerical variables

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 What you'll learn:
 Types Of Variables Definition
 Overview
 Two types of variables
 Scales of categorial variables
 Scales of numerical variables
 Practice question

Two types of variables

Categorical variables: There are many features of attributes that cannot be measured
numerically. Such data that cannot be expressed in numbers is called qualitative data. The
variable that is used for a qualitative dataset is called categorical variable. Examples include
the shade of a dress, gender, and favorite sports. The answer to all these variables would be
non-numerical. For colors, you may get categories like red, blue, and green. We can observe
that qualitative data by its very nature cannot be of much use statistically. Since statistics is a
vast toolset that helps analyze sets of numbers, qualitative data becomes less productive when
it comes to statistical analysis of data. Still, the use of categorical variables is not limited by
this fact. There are various statistical tools that are used for categorical datasets.

   Numerical variables:

Most data collected can be expressed in numbers. It can be measured. This type of data is
called quantitative data. The variables used to denote this type of dataset are numerical
variables. Numerical variables are considered to be ideal for statistical analysis. Examples
include the width of a tube, the number of employees in each company, the income of all
males, and so on. All of these variables can be easily expressed in numbers. Such datasets are
quantitative in nature. It is easy to find the mean income level using statistical formula. Thus,
one can observe that the process of estimation and inference becomes more useful if the data
obtained is quantitative in nature. Obtaining a dataset with numbers is one of the prime
concerns of researchers and statisticians.

Scales of categorial variables

The variables used for attributes are categorical variables. Further based on measurement of
scale, they can be divided as follows:

      Nominal scale:

The attributes that cannot be arranged in order but can simply be categorized are considered
under nominal scale. For example, gender categories may include male, female, and so on.
These categories are the labels to categorize data, but these categories cannot be compared
from each other.

       Ordinal scale:

The attributes that are non-numerical but can be arranged in order are considered under
ordinal scale. As an example, beauty contest the rankings are assigned as: very good, good,
average, poor, and very poor. These are the categories under which the participants would be
categorized. It is clear which category comes on top and which comes at the bottom. Hence,
these categories can be arranged in some order and they are called ordinal.

Scales of numerical variables

The variables that are expressed in numbers can further be divided on the basis of
measurement scale as follows:

       Interval scale:

In this case, the variables obtained can be arranged in equal intervals, but they are not actual
values or numbers. For example, temperature is a numerical scale. It can be arranged at equal
intervals, but it does not have an actual 0.

   Ratio scale:

In this case, a variable can be arranged in equal intervals and the ratio of the numbers can
also be calculated. These are the variables for which absolute zero is present. An example is
students’ exam scores. There can be a student who scores zero. Further, one can say that A
has scored twice of B, hence the ratio of such variable values can be obtained meaningfully.

Practice question
Now try it for yourself and apply the learnings to the practice question below.

The following table explain the activities and performance of 5 students in a test.
Number of classes attended Percentage of marks Active on social media
32 83.35 No
35 60.96 No
48 76.13 No
48 78.91 Yes
47 78.26 Yes

Find the type of variable "active on social media".

Choose an answer
A
The type of variable "active on social media" is Categorical variable.
B
The type of variable "active on social media" is can't specified.
C
The type of variable "active on social media" is Quantitative continuous variable .
D
The type of variable "active on social media" is Quantitative discrete variable.
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General guidance

Concepts and reason

A variable is an attribute that is recorded for each case or item based on the given study.
Based on the characteristics of the given data, the type of variable can be identified.

Fundamentals

There are two types of variables. They are categorical or quantitative variables. The
quantitative variables can be divided into continuous and discrete.

The categorical variable is known as the variable that can be divided into two or more
categories.

The quantitative discrete variable is known as the variable that can take only non-negative
integer values.

The quantitative continuous variable is known as the variable that can take any values in a
particular interval.
Show more
 Step-by-step

Step 1 of 2
The categorical variable is always a nominal type variable. It can represents names, colors,
gender, etc.

The quantitative discrete variable is a pure non-decimal number. It takes values as the
number of persons, number of things, etc.

The quantitative continuous variable can take any values including decimals, on the real line.
It takes values that can be written as decimals such as height, weight, temperature, etc.

Here, the active on social media is taking yes or no type response.

 Explanation
 Hint for next steps

From the given table, variable active on social media is divided into two categories (yes or
no).
Step 2 of 2
By the definition of Categorical variable, the variable "active on social media" is a
Categorical variable.

 Explanation

Thus, the type of variable active on social media is a Categorical variable.

Answer
The type of variable "active on social media" is Categorical variable.