BMI (Body Mass Index) is considered a continuous measure because it calculates a numeric value based on an individual's weight and height. However, it is often used in a categorical manner to classify individuals into categories such as underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese based on specific BMI ranges. Thus, while the underlying data is continuous, its application in health assessments can be categorical.
continuous discrete
A categorical variable (also known as a discrete variable) is one whose range is countable; e.g. the variable answ has values [yes, no, not sure]. answ is a categorical variable with range 3.A continuous variable is one which is not categorical; e.g. weight is a continuous variable which can take any value between 0 and 1000 kg (say) for a human being.
The correlation ratio, often denoted as η (eta), measures the strength and direction of association between a continuous variable and a categorical variable. It quantifies how much variability in the continuous variable can be explained by the categorical variable. Unlike Pearson's correlation, which is limited to linear relationships between two continuous variables, the correlation ratio can capture relationships involving categorical data. It is particularly useful in statistical analysis to understand the influence of categorical factors on continuous outcomes.
Neither. It is a discrete variable.
No, categorical data cannot be continuous. Categorical data consists of distinct categories or groups, such as colors, brands, or yes/no responses, where values represent different classifications rather than quantities. Continuous data, on the other hand, can take any value within a range and is measured on a scale, such as height or temperature. Thus, the two types of data are fundamentally different in nature.
It can be used to describe continuous or discreet data but not categorical or ordered data, unless that data is also numercal which is very unlikely
No, BMI (Body Mass Index) is not considered ordinal data; it is classified as continuous data. BMI is calculated using a formula that results in a numeric value, allowing for a range of measurements that can be analyzed statistically. While BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obesity) can be seen as ordinal, the BMI scores themselves are continuous measurements that can take on any value within a given range.
Employment is typically considered a categorical variable rather than a continuous variable. It often involves discrete categories, such as employed, unemployed, or not in the labor force. While one could analyze aspects of employment, such as hours worked or income, those specific metrics are continuous variables, but the overall employment status itself remains categorical.
A person's height is considered a continuous variable because it can take on an infinite number of values within a given range. Heights can be measured with precision and can vary by small increments, such as in inches or centimeters. In contrast, categorical variables represent distinct categories or groups without inherent numerical values.
Economic Continuous Rating (ECR)
Yes, a zip code is an example of categorical data. It represents a specific geographical area and is used to categorize locations rather than quantify them. While zip codes can be associated with certain numerical values, they do not have inherent mathematical meaning, making them categorical rather than continuous data.
No, a histogram is not suitable for categorical data because it represents the distribution of continuous or discrete numerical data through bins. Instead, bar charts are used for categorical data, as they effectively display the frequency of each category. Histograms show how data falls into ranges, while bar charts highlight distinct categories.