Alteryx Foundation Micro-Credential Practice Exam

Ordinal data is a subcategory of what?

1. Categorical or qualitative data

2. Numeric data

3. Dependent data

4. Independent data

The correct answer is: Categorical or qualitative data

Ordinal data is indeed a subcategory of categorical or qualitative data. This type of data represents categories with a specific order or ranking among them, which differentiates it from nominal data, another category of qualitative data that has no inherent order. For instance, in a survey measuring satisfaction levels (e.g., "Very Unsatisfied," "Unsatisfied," "Neutral," "Satisfied," "Very Satisfied"), the responses can be categorized into groups that reflect a clear progression in satisfaction. In contrast to numeric data, which consists of measurable quantities and can undergo mathematical operations, ordinal data does not convey precise numerical differences between categories. Likewise, the concepts of dependent and independent data generally relate to the relationships between variables in research designs or statistical analyses, rather than categorizing data types. Thus, ordinal data fits best within the realm of categorical or qualitative data due to its nature of conveying both category and order.