Data types | Data subtypes | Examples | Statistically manipulable? |
Continuous | Interval | Date | Yes - parametric tests (e.g., t-test, ANOVA) |
Ratio | Age | Yes - parametric tests | |
Ordinal | Size place | Yes - nonparametric tests (e.g., Chi-squared) | |
Nominal | Coded (numbers or words) | Gender code | Yes - nonparametric tests |
Descriptive (uncoded numbers or words) | Notes, IDs | No | |
Note: parametric tests may be used only when the sample data follow a Gaussian distribution |