Number of family member is a-
Ans. is 'b' i.e., Discrete variable o Number of family members has numerical value --> 2, 3, 5, 7. o But it cannot have in-between value e.g., 2.5, 3.2. o So, it is a quantitative (numerical) discrete variable. Following impoant points require specific mention here : ? o Though qualitative (categorial) data do not have numerical value, some times numerical value is used to classify the limit of qualitative data. For example : - 1)All low bih weight children will have bih weight less than 2500 gm. So, a) Bih weight (which may be 2200 gm, 2500 gm, 2600 gm) is a continuous variable. b)Low bih weight (< 2500 gm) is a qualitative data because either a newborn have low bih weight or not. 2) Blood cholesterol level (which may be 70, 80, 90, 200 mg/dl) is a quantitative variable but when it comes high or low blood cholesterol level, it becomes qualitative variable because a preson may either have low or high cholesterol level. 3) Similarly blood sugar level is quantitative variable, while high or low blood sugar (presence or absence of diabetes) is a qualitative variable. 4) Blood hemoglobin is a quantitative variable, while high or low hemoglobin (Presence or absence of anemia) is a qualitative variable. Note: o Pulse rate (PR) is considered as a continuous variable. o Immediately question comes to mind that how can pulse rate be a continues variable when pulse rate can only be 70/71... beats per minute but not in between value (70.1, 70.5 ...). However, this is only true when we count pulse for only 1 minute. In other scenario, if the pulse rate is counted for 3 minutes and it comes 216, then the pulse rate will be 72.3 beats per minute ---> Therefore, pulse rate is considered as a continuous variable. o If you still have doubt, read following statement? "Body temperature, pulse rate, height, weight, and age are all continuous numerical variables" .. statistics for health care professional.
Qualitative variable
Discrete variable
Continuous variable
Categorial variable