Characterizing the Data Based on Variables / Data on Various Scales

Once we have collected data, the next step is to understand what kind of numbers we are actually holding. The nature of the variable — whether it simply names categories, puts things in order, or gives a precise measurement — decides which statistical tools we can legitimately use. This section shows you how to classify data into different scales, because applying the wrong operation (like averaging a set of jersey numbers) leads to nonsense. Gettin …