Variables, variables, variables

Identifying the main types of variables in a dataset is very useful, as this will delimit the kinds of data visualizations you can use to deliver a message.

As a reminder, a variable is a characteristic or attribute in your dataset that can take on different values or levels.

There are two main types of variables you will encounter:

• Numerical variable: A type of variable that takes numerical values.
• Categorical variable: A type of variable that describes a characteristic of an observation or subject. They can be nominal (such as names: John, Mary, Angela) or ordinal (with natural ordering: low, mid, upper).