DATA

MEASUREMENTS
QUANTITATIVE, OR NUMERICAL, DATA
CAN BE BROKEN DOWN INTO TWO
TYPES: DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS
Discrete data
Discrete data is a whole number that can’t be divided or broken into individual parts, fractions or
decimals.
Examples of discrete data include the number of pets someone has – one can have two dogs but not two-and-a-
half dogs.
The number of wins someone’s favorite team gets is also a form of discrete data because a team can’t have a
half win – it’s either a win, a loss, or a draw.
Continuous data
Continuous data describes values that can be broken down into different parts, units, fractions and
decimals
Continuous data points, such as height and weight, can be measured. Time can also be broken down – by half a
second or half an hour.
Temperature is another example of continuous data.
DISCRETE VERSUS
CONTINUOUS
There’s an easy way to remember the difference between the two types of
quantitative data: data is considered discrete if it can be counted and is continuous if
it can be measured. Someone can count students, tickets purchased and books, while
one measures height, distance and temperature.
SUMMARY
Nominal scales are used to label or describe values.
Ordinal scales are used to provide information about the specific order of the data
points, mostly seen in the use of satisfaction surveys.
The interval scale is used to understand the order and differences between them.
The ratio scales gives more information about identity, order and difference, plus a
breakdown of the numerical detail within each data point.
Features Interval scale Ratio scale

All variables measured in an interval scale can be Ratio scale has all the characteristics of an interval
Variable property added, subtracted, and multiplied. You cannot scale, in addition, to be able to calculate ratios. That
calculate a ratio between them. is, you can leverage numbers on the scale against 0.

Zero-point in an interval scale is arbitrary. For The ratio scale has an absolute zero or character of
Absolute Point Zero example, the temperature can be below 0 degrees origin. Height and weight cannot be zero or below
Celsius and into negative temperatures. zero.

Statistically, in an interval scale, the arithmetic Statistically, in a ratio scale, the geometric or
Calculation
mean is calculated. harmonic mean is calculated.

Interval scale can measure size and magnitude as Ratio scale can measure size and magnitude as a
Measurement
multiple factors of a defined unit. factor of one defined unit in terms of another.  

A classic example of an interval scale is the

temperature in Celsius. The difference in Classic examples of a ratio scale are any variable
Example temperature between 50 degrees and 60 degrees is that possesses an absolute zero characteristic, like
10 degrees; this is the same difference between 70 age, weight, height, or sales figures
degrees and 80 degrees.