What is the Difference Between Categorical Data and Numerical Data?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between categorical data and numerical data lies in the nature of the information they represent. Here are the key differences between the two types of data:
- Categorical Data:
- Also known as qualitative data, categorical data represents characteristics, categories, or groups.
- It can be stored and identified based on names or labels.
- Examples of categorical data include a person's gender, their occupation, or the brand of a product.
- Numerical Data:
- Also known as quantitative data, numerical data represents numerical values that can be used for arithmetic processes.
- It is in the form of numbers, not words or descriptions.
- Examples of numerical data include test scores, age groups, or sales figures.
In summary, categorical data represents categories, groups, or descriptions, while numerical data represents numerical values that can be used for arithmetic operations. Researchers and analysts may collect and analyze both categorical and numerical data, depending on the research being conducted and the specific information they need to gather.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Categorical Data and Numerical Data? Comparative Table: Categorical Data vs Numerical Data
Comparative Table: Categorical Data vs Numerical Data
Here is a table comparing the differences between categorical and numerical data:
Feature | Categorical Data | Numerical Data |
---|---|---|
Definition | Categorical data refers to a data type that can be stored and identified based on the names or labels assigned to each category. It is also known as qualitative data. | Numerical data refers to the data that is in the form of numbers, and not in any language or descriptive form. It is also known as quantitative data. |
Types | Nominal data and ordinal data. | Discrete data and continuous data. |
Examplesomorphism-pentagon |
Read more:
- Categorical vs Quantitative Data
- Discrete vs Continuous Data
- Ordinal Data vs Interval Data
- Numeric vs Decimal
- Numeracy vs Mathematics
- Nominal vs Ordinal
- Numbers vs Numerals
- Quantitative vs Qualitative
- Numerical Expression vs Algebraic Expression
- Mathematics vs Statistics
- Data vs Information
- Qualitative vs Quantitative Research
- Discrete vs Continuous Variables
- Qualitative vs Quantitative Observation
- Classification vs Tabulation
- Cardinal Numbers vs Ordinal Numbers
- Classification vs Regression
- Literacy vs Numeracy
- Digit vs Number