The Quantitative and quantitative variables Are properties that can change and whose fluctuation is observable in some way.
In this way, qualitative variables speak of properties that can not be measured with numbers and the quantitative ones include those to which a numerical value can be assigned (Bonton, 2017).
The branch of science that is responsible for studying the behavior of qualitative and quantitative variables is statistics. In this way, it analyzes the numerically measurable variables and the abstractions that can not be measured and whose estimation depends on the individual who perceives them (Statistics, 2013).
Within the qualitative variables we can find two types: nominal and ordinal. The first type refers to those variables that do not have an order criterion, while the second type obeys the variables that follow a pattern of order or belong to a scale of value.
The quantitative variables are classified as discrete and continuous, the first being those defined by a finite number of elements (1, 2, 3, etc.) and the second those having an infinite number of characters within a range Determined (decimal number).
Qualitative Variables
Qualitative variables include all observable qualities or characteristics of a group or population that can not be measured numerically. They are usually associated with a physical attribute (quality) of a group of individuals.
These variables can be divided into two types: nominal (lacking a criterion of order) and ordinal (they have a criterion of order) (Andale, Statistics How To, 2017).
Variable qualitative nominal
Nominal qualitative variables are those that lack or do not admit a criterion of order and do not have an assigned numerical value. An example of such variables may be marital status (married, single, divorced, widowed).
Variable qualitative ordinal
Ordinary qualitative variables are known as semi-quantitative variables. Although they allude to attributes or qualities that lack a numerical value, they are classified within a scale of value. An example of this type of variables can be the result of a sport competition (first, second or third place).
Examples
Terror, a concept that can not be measured
- The fear
This is a nominal qualitative variable, since it can not be measured numerically. Fear is a variable that changes according to the person who feels it and fluctuates depending on the situation in which they feel when reacting to a particular event or event.
- Hunger
Hunger can not be measured numerically, so it is considered as a qualitative ordinal variable. This variable can only be perceived by the person who feels it and can be classified in a lot, little or nothing, according to the specific situation or time.
- The beauty
This variable is a concept that can only be measured by the individual who interprets it. Beauty is a quality that lacks numerical value and can not be classified within a ladder. Therefore, it is a nominal qualitative variable.
- Civil status
The marital status of a person is a nominal qualitative variable to which a numerical value can not be assigned. It is a concept that has no specific order established.
- The happiness
This variable can not be measured numerically because it depends on the value that each person assigns. Happiness is a property that each individual feels subjectively and there is no tool to measure the degree of happiness that a person can feel.
- The ignorance
This variable can not be measured numerically and is expressed in attitudes and point moments.
- Utility
The variable that determines how useful an object is is clearly qualitative. In this way, utility is perceived by each individual according to a specific situation.
- The type of medal
This is a qualitative ordinal variable, since there is a categorical classification that assigns a place within a competition. In this way the gold, silver and bronze medals denote the place occupied in a competition without the necessity of assigning a numeric value to the results.
- The creativity
This variable is qualitative since the creativity can not be measured numerically. Likewise, it is a factor that varies from person to person depending on the specific moment in which it takes place.
- The qualification of a test
When an approved, salient, acceptable, or deficient test is rated, it is a qualitative ordinal variable, since it is not assigned a numerical value to the result, but it is being given a place within a scale of Value (Mendenhall, Beaver, & Beaver, 2009).
Quantitative Variables
40º alcohol rum
Quantitative variables, as the name implies, are those that can be expressed by a numerical value.
In this way it is feasible to perform operations and mathematical calculations with them. These variables can be classified into two types: continuous and discrete (Andale, 2016).
Discrete Variables
The discrete variables are characterized by counting only finite values. In this way, the discrete quantitative variables are those that only take into account numbers within a scale of values that can be separated from each other, indicating specific values (StatTrek.com, 2017).
Continuous variables
The continuous variables on their part are those that can take an infinite number of values within two numbers, that is to say, they count with the allocation of decimal numbers.
Its accuracy varies depending on the instrument used to measure them. They are values that can have infinite number of decimals within a certain interval (Kozak, Kozak, Watts, & Staudhammer, 2008).
Examples
- The number of members of a family (1 person, 2 persons, 6 persons).
- Likewise, the number of chickens in a shed (2,500, 3,000 or 5,000 chickens).
- The value of an object ($ 100, $ 200, $ 300).
- On the other hand, the height of a person (1.67 cm, 1.70 cm, 1.56 cm).
- The weight or mass of a body (5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg)
- The number of rounds of a match (1 round, 2 rounds, 3 rounds).
- The speed reached by a vehicle within a period of time (20 km / h, 40 km / h, 60 km / h).
- The size of a screen (15", 32", 42").
- The degrees or volume of alcohol in a drink (13.5%, 20%, 40%).
References
- (June 28, 2016). Statistics How To. Obtained from Quantitative Variables in Statistics: statisticshowto.com.
- (April 1, 2017). Statistics How To. Retrieved from"Qualitative Variable: Definition and Examples".
- Bonton, T. (2017). com. Retrieved from"Qualitative & Quantitative Variables in Statistics: study.com".
- Kozak, A., Kozak, R., Watts, S., & Staudhammer, C. (2008). Introductory Probability and Statistics. Vancouver: Cabi International..
- Mendenhall, W., Beaver, R.J., & Beaver, B. M. (2009). Introduction to Probability and Statistics. Belmont: Brooks / Cole.
- Statistics, A. B. (July 4, 2013). Australian Bureau of Statistics. Obtained from Quantitative and Qualitative Data: abs.gov.au.
- com. (2017). Statistics and Probability Dictionary. Retrieved from"Quantitative Variable: StatTrek.com".