Republic of the Philippines
CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE
Calabanga | Pasacao | Pili | Sipocot
Data/Variable
1. Sources of Data
2. Types of Data
Objective:
At the end of this unit, the students should be able
distinguish the different sources and types of data.
Data
This are the information gathered about the
sample or the population.
SOURCES OF DATA
Primary Data
are measured and gathered by the researcher
that published it. It is also a data that come from an
original source, and are intended to answer specific
research questions, can be taken by interview, mail-
in questionnaire, survey or experimentation.
Secondary Data
are republished by another researcher or
agency. It is a data that are taken from previously
recorded data, such as information in research
conducted, industry financial statements and
government reports. It can also be taken
electronically.
TYPES OF DATA
Qualitative Data
It refers to the attributes or characteristics of
the samples. Such as sex (male or female), attitude,
emotional condition (happy or sad).
Types of Qualitative Data
Nominal Data- Nominal data is used just for labeling
variables, without any type of quantitative value. The
name ‘nominal’ comes from the Latin word “nomen”
which means ‘name’.
1. Gender (Women, Men)
2. Hair color (Blonde, Brown, Brunette, Red, etc.)
3. Marital status (Married, Single, Widowed)
Types of Qualitative Data
Ordinal Data- Ordinal data shows where a number is in
order. This is the crucial difference from nominal types of
data. This data is placed into some kind of order by their
position on a scale. It may indicate superiority.
1. The first, second and third person in a competition.
2. Letter grades: A, B, C, and etc.
3. Rate of sales experience on a scale of 1-10 of a company.
Quantitative Data
It refers to the numerical information gathered
about the samples, data are either discrete or
continuous.
Types of Quantitative Data
Discrete Numbers - these are obtained through
counting and decimals have no meaning like
1. number of children in a family
2. number of barangay in a town
3. number of teachers in school
4. number of students in a class.
Types of Quantitative Data
Continuous Numbers- are the result of
measurement and decimals have meaning like
1. heights
2. weights
3. temperature in a locality.
CLASSIFICATION OF VARIABLES
Variables can be classified into according to
purpose whether experimental or mathematical.
Classification of Variables
Experimental Classification.
A researcher may classify variables according to
the function they serve in the experiment.
Experimental Classification
1. Independent variables are variables controlled by the
experimenter/researcher and expected to have an effect
on the behavior of the subjects. The independent
variable is also called explanatory variable.
2. Dependent variable is some measure of the behavior
of subjects and expected to be influenced by the
independent variable. The dependent variable is also
called response or outcome variable.
Experimental Classification
Example:
To predict the value of fertilizer on the growth
of plants, the dependent variable is the growth of
the plants; while the independent variable is the
amount of fertilizer used.
Classification of Variables
Mathematical Classification.
Variables may also be classified in terms of the
mathematical values they may take on within a
given interval.
Mathematical Classification
1. Continuous variable is a variable which can assume
any of an infinite number of values and can be
associated with points on a continuous line interval.
Example: height, weight, volume etc.
2. Discrete variable is a variable which consist of either a
finite number of values or countable number of values.
Example: Gender, courses, Olympic Games etc.
Thank you!
Maricris dlP. Tapar
Instructor
