Lecture Notes: Understanding Data Types

Overview

• Two Main Types of Data:
  • Quantitative Data
  • Qualitative Data

Quantitative Data

• Characteristics:
  • Numerical in nature
  • Two subtypes: Discrete and Continuous

Discrete Data

• Definition:
  • Based on counting
• Examples:
  • Whole numbers, zero (e.g., number of cats: 8, not 8.5)
• Key Points:
  • Cannot have fractional values (e.g., 7.46 cats is not possible)

Continuous Data

• Definition:
  • Based on measurement
• Examples:
  • Distance, speed, weights (e.g., 5.56 meters)
• Key Points:
  • Can include any number, not limited to integers

Qualitative Data

• Characteristics:
  • Descriptive data based on observations
  • Uses words instead of numbers

Involves the Five Senses

• Examples:
  • Visual: Color (e.g., black cat)
  • Feel: Texture (e.g., rough fur)
  • Taste: Good or bad
  • Hearing: Volume (e.g., high or low)
  • Smell: Good, bad, or neutral

Recap and Examples

• Quantitative vs Qualitative: Determining Data Types
  • Example 1: Seven dogs
    • Quantitative, Discrete (because it's a count)
  • Example 2: Cat's fur is black
    • Qualitative (descriptive, no numbers)
  • Example 3: Michael is six feet tall
    • Quantitative, Continuous (involves measurement)
  • Example 4: Cat's fur is rough
    • Qualitative (descriptive, no numbers)

Conclusion

• Quantitative Data:
  • Always associated with numbers
  • Can be discrete (counted) or continuous (measured)
• Qualitative Data:
  • Descriptive, uses observations and senses
  • Relies on words not numbers

These notes summarize key concepts about the types of data, providing a framework to determine whether a given situation involves quantitative or qualitative data.