Question

Identify the variables in the raw data and indicate the type of each variable (i.e., nominal, ordinal, count or continuous; don’t worry about distinguishing ratio versus interval). Assume for this purpose that all the observations for a given paper plane are recorded in a single row.

Variables : Design, Material, Maker, Thrower, Distance

Type: ?

Answer 1

Variables are generally broadly categorised into nominal, ordinal, discrete(count), and continuous type.

-Nominal variable : A type of categorial data in which objects fall into UNORDERED categories, i.e., the order of the variable is not important. Eg. hair colour, race, smoking status etc.

- Ordinal data : A type of categorial data in which objects fall into ORDERED categories, i.e., the order of the variable is important. Eg, Class of a student (junior,senior,super senior) , Degree of illness (none, moderate, mild so on), etc.

-Discrete data : A type of measurement data which can take only certain possible values (there are gaps between the possible values) Eg, number of students present in a test , number of alphabets in a word, etc

-Continuous Data : A type of measurement data which can take any value within a specific interval (no gaps between possible values) Eg, cholestrol level, height, age group etc.

The question's answer:

Design - nominal type (there is no specification regarding the types of designs and their superiority over each other. therefore the question of order does not arise at all).

Material, Maker, Thrower, all are nominal type. (no order question arises , same as in design)

Distance however, is a continuous variable, as it can take any value in an interval (any value recorded can further be corrected upto cm, mm, even micrometer or smaller, therefore continuous).

hope this answer clears the concept of raw data types, feel free to leave a feedback. All the best!!