Types of Data
Types of data describes the different categories that data can be sorted into: qualitative (non-numerical, such as colours) versus quantitative (numerical), and within quantitative data, discrete (countable, exact values like number of pets) versus continuous (measured, any value in a range, like height or time). Knowing the type of data tells you which averages, diagrams and calculations are appropriate to use, and this distinction underpins almost every other GCSE Statistics topic.
Before you start
No specific prerequisites - this is a good place to start.
Method
- Ask whether the data is a number or a category/label; categories (e.g. eye colour, favourite subject) are qualitative.
- If the data is numerical, decide whether it is discrete (specific, usually whole-number, values that can be counted, such as number of children) or continuous (any value within a range, and measured, such as height, weight or time).
- Check whether the data is primary (collected first-hand by the researcher, e.g. a survey they ran) or secondary (already existing, e.g. government statistics).
- Decide whether the data is grouped (put into class intervals, e.g. 10-19, 20-29) or ungrouped (each individual value listed).
- Use the data type to choose an appropriate diagram: bar charts and pie charts for qualitative/discrete data, histograms for continuous data.
Worked example
For each of the following, state whether the data is qualitative or quantitative, and if quantitative, whether it is discrete or continuous: (a) the number of goals scored in a match, (b) the colour of a car, (c) the time taken to run 100 metres.
- (a) Number of goals is a count of whole events, so it is quantitative and discrete.
- (b) Colour of a car is a category with no numerical value, so it is qualitative.
- (c) Time taken to run 100 metres can take any value (e.g. 13.42 seconds) and is measured, so it is quantitative and continuous.
- Final answer: (a) quantitative, discrete; (b) qualitative; (c) quantitative, continuous.
Practice questions
Type your answer and press Check to be marked straight away, or reveal the answer and mark yourself.
Q1Is 'favourite ice cream flavour' qualitative or quantitative data?Show answer
Answer: Qualitative (it is a category, not a number)
Q2Is 'number of pets owned' discrete or continuous data?Show answer
Answer: Discrete (it can only take whole-number counted values)
Q3Is 'height of a plant in cm' discrete or continuous data?Show answer
Answer: Continuous (it is measured and can take any value)
Q4A student uses last year's census results for her project instead of running her own survey. Is this primary or secondary data?Show answer
Answer: Secondary data (it was collected by someone else)
Q5State whether 'shoe size' is discrete or continuous, and explain why.Show answer
Answer: Discrete, because shoe sizes only take specific fixed values (e.g. 6, 6.5, 7), not any value in between
Q6A researcher records the exact temperature of 30 cups of tea to the nearest 0.1 degrees C. State the type of data, giving two features.Show answer
Answer: Quantitative and continuous, because it is numerical and measured, and can take any value within a range
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Statistics exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
A survey records the number of bedrooms in 40 houses. State the type of data this is, giving a reason.
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A gardener records the height, in cm, of 25 sunflowers to the nearest millimetre. (a) State whether this data is qualitative or quantitative. (b) State whether it is discrete or continuous. (c) Give a reason for your answer to part (b).
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A researcher wants data on how students travel to school (car, bus, walk, bike). (a) State the type of data this is. (b) Suggest a suitable diagram to display it. (c) Explain why a histogram would not be suitable.
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See real GCSE Statistics past-paper questions, with official mark schemes →
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the types of data worksheet pack - 24 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. One email opens every download in this browser for 14 days - no account, no card. Print it for personal and classroom use.
This topic is chapter 6 of GCSE Statistics Foundation Workbook 1 and chapter 6 of GCSE Statistics Higher Workbook 1, the whole course as one free printable PDF.
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