This document discusses different types of data classification. It defines classification as systematically grouping data based on common characteristics. There are several ways to classify data, including by the nature of the variable (e.g. quantitative, qualitative), source of collection (e.g. primary, secondary), presentation (e.g. grouped, ungrouped), and content (e.g. simple, manifold). Examples are provided for each type of classification.

1. Mrs. Suja Santosh
Professor
RVS College of Nursing, Sulur,
Coimbatore

2. It is a systematic grouping of units
according to their common characteristics

3. • Simplifies and makes data more comprehensible
• Condense the data
• Brings out the points of similarity and dissimilarity
• Comparison of characteristics
• Brings out the cause and effect relationship
• Prepare the data for tabulation

4. On the basis of nature of Variable-
•Quantitative data
•Qualitative data
•Discrete data
•Continuous data
•Chronological or temporal data
•Geographical or spatial data
On the basis of Source of Collection
•Primary data
•Secondary data
On the basis of Presentation
•Grouped data
•Ungrouped data
On the basis on content
• Simple Classification
•Manifold Classification

5. •Quantitative data –
Age
in years
< 20 years
20-25 years
> 25 years
Classification of data according to quantitative characteristics
such as age , weight, height, marks etc

6. •Qualitative data –
Classification of data according to qualitative
characteristics such as sex, honesty, intelligence, literacy, colour,
religion, marital status etc
Gender
Boys Girls
Girls Boys

7. •Discrete data - Classification of data which takes exact
numerical values (whole numbers)
Eg: No of Children in a family, shoe size

8. •Continuous data - Classification of data which takes
numerical values within a certain range
Eg: Weight of girl baby of one month is given as 3.8kg, but exact
weight could be between 3.2 and 5.4

9. •Chronological or temporal data

10. •Geographical or spatial data

11. •Primary data- data which is directly collected by the
researcher/investigator
•Secondary data- data which is not directly collected
by the researcher/investigator .

12. •Grouped data- data which is presented in group
Eg: Age: 20-25 (12 persons),25-30 (8 persons)…..
•Ungrouped data- data which is presented
individually
Eg: Age: 28 years, 27 years, 23 years, 25 years, 26 years…..

13. •Simple Classification:
Classification of data with one characteristics
Gender
Boys
Girls

14. Gender
Boys
Vegetarians
Age < 20
years
Age ≥ 20
years
Non
Vegetarians
Age < 20
years
Age ≥ 20
years
Girls
Vegetarians
Age < 20
years
Age ≥ 20
years
Non
Vegetarians
Age < 20
years
Age ≥ 20
years
•Manifold Classification:
Classification of data with
more than one
characteristics