Difference between revisions of "Data types"

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Epidemiological investigation requires a good understanding of different data types, as this will strongly influence data analysis and interpretation. Data can broadly be classified as qualitative and quantitative, as shown below. Within each of these groups, data types can be classified further.
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Epidemiological investigation requires a good understanding of different data types, as this will strongly influence data analysis and interpretation. Data can broadly be classified as '''qualitative''' and '''quantitative''', as shown below, although through manipulation, these types can be changed. Within each of these groups, data types can be classified further.
  
 
==Qualitative data==
 
==Qualitative data==
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Qualitative data may be relatively subjectively defined, or are not numerical in nature.
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===Nominal===
  
===Nominal level of measurement===
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===Ordinal===
 
 
===Ordinal level of measurement===
 
  
 
==Quantitative data==
 
==Quantitative data==
 
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Quantitative data are expressed numerically.
 
===Discrete (count)===
 
===Discrete (count)===
  
 
===Continuous===
 
===Continuous===
  
====Interval level of measurement====
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====Interval====
  
====Ratio level of measurement====
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====Ratio====
  
 
[[Category:Veterinary Epidemiology - Introduction|B]]
 
[[Category:Veterinary Epidemiology - Introduction|B]]

Revision as of 20:43, 10 December 2010

Epidemiological investigation requires a good understanding of different data types, as this will strongly influence data analysis and interpretation. Data can broadly be classified as qualitative and quantitative, as shown below, although through manipulation, these types can be changed. Within each of these groups, data types can be classified further.

Qualitative data

Qualitative data may be relatively subjectively defined, or are not numerical in nature.

Nominal

Ordinal

Quantitative data

Quantitative data are expressed numerically.

Discrete (count)

Continuous

Interval

Ratio