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statistical variables

The document explains the concept of variables, distinguishing between numerical and categorical variables, and their types, including interval and ratio for numerical variables, and nominal and ordinal for categorical variables. It also covers univariate and bivariate analysis, detailing methods for analyzing one or two variables, respectively, and the processes of encoding and binning. Key statistical measures and tests relevant to these analyses are mentioned.

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omarykatunda3rd
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3 views

statistical variables

The document explains the concept of variables, distinguishing between numerical and categorical variables, and their types, including interval and ratio for numerical variables, and nominal and ordinal for categorical variables. It also covers univariate and bivariate analysis, detailing methods for analyzing one or two variables, respectively, and the processes of encoding and binning. Key statistical measures and tests relevant to these analyses are mentioned.

Uploaded by

omarykatunda3rd
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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VARIABLE

This is a symbol that represents varying values.

NUMERICAL VARIABLE

A numerical or continuous variable (attribute) is the one that may take on any value within a
finite or infinite interval eg height, weight, temperature etc.

TYPES OF NUMERICAL VARIABLES

i. Interval

ii. Ratio

INTERVAL VARIABLE

This has values whose differences are interpretable, but it does not have a true zero.

eg temperature in centigrade .

NOTE: Data on interval scale can be multiplied and subtracted but cannot be meaningfully
multiplied or divided. For example we cannot say one day is twice as hot as another day.

RATIO VARIABLE

This has values with a true zero and can be added, subtracted or divided. Eg weight, height etc.

UNIVARIATE ANALYSIS

Univariate analysis explores variables one by one. An example of univariate analysis is when we
are finding

MAX, MIN, MEAN, MEDIAN, RANGE, MODE, VARIANCE, STD, COEFFICIENT OF


DEVIATION, SKEWNESS AND KURTOSIS.

NB: Variables may be either numerical or categorical.

CATEGORICAL OR DISCRETE (NUMERICAL) VARIABLE

This is the one that has two or more categories (values)

TYPES OF CATEGORICAL VARIABLES

i. Nominal

ii. Ordinal
NOMINAL VARIABLE

This has no intrinsic ordering to its categories such as gender. Here order does not matter.

ORDINAL VARIABLE

This has a clear ordering for instance if we categorize temperature as low, medium and high,
here low is less medium and medium is less than high.

ENCODING OR CONTINUIZATION

This is the process of transforming numerical variables into categorical counterparts, eg male
and female to 1 and 0.

BINNING OR DISCRETIZATION

This is the process of transforming numerical variables into categorical counterparts, eg binning
values of age into categories such a s 20-39, 40-59, 60-79.

BIVARIATE ANALYSIS

This is the simultaneous analysis of two variables. It explores the concept of relationship
between two variables.

 Whether there exists an association and the strength of this association.

 Whether there are differences between two variables and the significance of these
differences.

TYPES OF BIVARIATE ANALYSIS

i. Numerical and Numerical eg linear correlation, linear regression, etc.

ii. Categorical and Numerical eg Chi-square tests.

iii. Numerical and Categorical e.g. Z – test, t – test and ANOVA.

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