Category data

Data in which the values can be organised into distinct groups. These distinct groups (or categories) must be chosen so they do not overlap and so that every value belongs to one and only one group, and there should be no doubt as to which one.

The term category data is used with two different meanings. The curriculum uses a meaning that puts no restriction on whether or not the categories have a natural ordering. This use of category data has the same meaning as qualitative data. The other meaning restricts category data to categories that do not have a natural ordering.

Example

The eye colours of a class of year 9 students.

Alternative: categorical data

See: qualitative data

Curriculum achievement objectives references

Statistical investigation: Levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

The quality of the images on this page may vary depending on the device you are using.