variable and attribute

The process of classifying and preserving the data is called classification and tabulation. Let us understand about it.

Introduction:

To make an inquiry or investigation of a problem in any field, data has to be collected. By applying the different methods of collecting data, one can get confusing, voluminous, and complex data. This way when data is collected, it is not possible to use the same for drawing any conclusions. 

With the help of classification and tabulation and by applying the statistical techniques, such a large mass of data can be organized into a systematic form. Afterward, a comparison of data is possible and the task of drawing conclusions is also possible very easily. 

Let us try to understand the meaning of variables and attributes which are the main basis used for classification and tabulation.

Some of the information collected through a sample survey or population survey is of this kind. For example number of children per family, the number of accident occurs in one place per day, the number of flowers on a plant, height, weight, marks of a student, incomes, expense, saving, etc. of a person, sales, production, demand, purchase, supply, profit, etc. of a firm.

(2) Types of Variable: 

There are two types of variables.

(A) Discrete Variable (B) Continuous Variable

(A) Discrete Variable:

When a variable assumes atmost countable number of values (integer values) in an interval or a given range, then such a variable is known as a Discrete Variable. The number of children per family, the number of rooms in a house, etc. are examples of a discrete variable.

(B) Continuous Variable: 

If a variable assumes all possible values in an interval (integer and fractional both), then it is called a continuous variable. Hight, weight, marks, etc. of a student, income, expense, savings, etc. of a person are the examples of a continuous variable.

(3) Attribute: 

The value of some characteristics of a unit varies from unit to unit but can not be expressed numerically. Such a characteristic is called an attribute. Some of the information collected through a sample survey or a population survey is of this kind. For example beauty, business, honesty, marital status, religion, the financial position of a person, etc.