Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Discrete vs. Continuous Data
Discrete data refers to countable values, often integers, where there are gaps between possible values, such as the number of people or items. Continuous data, on the other hand, can take any value within a range and is often measured, like height or time. In this context, wait times are typically considered continuous because they can be measured to any level of precision, even though they are often rounded to the nearest minute.
Recommended video:
Visualizing Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data
Data Set Analysis
Analyzing a data set involves understanding the type of data, its distribution, and any patterns or anomalies. For the given wait times, one should consider the range, mean, median, and mode to summarize the data effectively. This helps in identifying whether the data is skewed or if there are any outliers, which can influence the interpretation of whether the data is discrete or continuous.
Recommended video:
Visualizing Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data
Measurement Precision
Measurement precision refers to the level of detail in which data is recorded. In the context of wait times, while the data is presented in whole minutes, the underlying concept is continuous because time can be measured in smaller units like seconds or milliseconds. Understanding this distinction is crucial in determining whether data should be treated as discrete or continuous, especially when considering the nature of the measurement process.
Recommended video:
Visualizing Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data
1:45 minutes
04:39