What does qualitative, quantitative data, discrete, and continuous mean?

1 Answer
Mar 29, 2017

Quick Definitions

Explanation:

Quantitative Data are numbers: heights; weights; speeds; number of pets owned; years; etc.
Qualitative Data are not numbers. They may include favorite foods; religions; ethnicities; etc..

Discrete Data are numbers that may take on specific, separated values. For example, when you roll one die, you get 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6. You cannot obtain a value of 3.75.
Continuous Data are numbers that may take on all sorts of decimal or fractional values. For example, your weight may be measured precisely as 92.234 kilograms. Your speed doesn't jump from 10 mph to 11 mph; it moves through every decimal in between -- like 10.5 mph.