Category variable

A property that may have different values for different individuals and for which these 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 variable 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 variable has the same meaning as qualitative variable. The other meaning of category variable is restricted to categories that do not have a natural ordering.

Example

The eye colours of a class of year 9 students.

Alternative: categorical variable

See: qualitative variable

Curriculum achievement objectives references

Statistical investigation: Levels 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

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