When working with statistics, it's important to recognize the different types of data: numerical (discrete and continuous), categorical, and ordinal. ... Not all data are numbers; let's say you also record the gender of each of your friends, getting the following data: male, male, female, male, female.

Are statistics only numbers?

Statistics are not just numbers: they require context to be useful. Statistical context includes definitions, methodological changes and other caveats that affect how we might otherwise interpret the figures.

What are the four types of data in statistics?

In statistics, there are four data measurement scales: nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio. These are simply ways to sub-categorize different types of data (here's an overview of statistical data types) .