Categorical data classify people or objects by a nonnumeric attribute, such as color, type, or favorite choice, using clearly defined categories and recording one response in the appropriate category. The resulting counts can be organized in a simple table or tally chart, distinguishing category labels from the quantities they represent and supporting later picture- and bar-graph interpretations; formal sampling, quantitative measurements, and more complex or overlapping classifications are beyond this scope.
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Detailed Explanation: Collect categorical data
Categorical data tells what kind of thing something is. The categories are labels, such as colors, animals, or favorite foods. The answers are not numbers.
Example
We ask 6 students:
“What is your favorite fruit: apple, banana, or orange?”
- Choose clear categories: apple, banana, orange.
- Ask each student for one answer.
- Record each answer in the matching category.
The answers are:
- Maya: apple
- Leo: banana
- Sam: apple
- Ava: orange
- Ben: banana
- Zoe: apple
Now make a tally chart. Add one tally mark each time a category is chosen.
| Favorite fruit | Tally | Number of students |
|---|---|---|
| Apple | $( | |
| Banana | $( | |
| Orange | $ | $ |
The words apple, banana, and orange are the category labels. The numbers , , and tell how many students chose each category.
Check that every student’s answer was recorded once:
So, 6 students answered the question.
Learn by doing: Collect categorical data
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Practice:
Graphing - Create Tally Chart from Data (Pictures)
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Download/Modify Free Grade 2 'Collect categorical data' Worksheet
Print this free 'Collect categorical data' worksheet to practice this skill away from the computer. Click 'Modify' to easily customize this worksheet to your exact needs.
This Worksheet Includes:
- Graphing - Create Tally Chart from Data (Pictures)
- Graphing - Create Table from Data (Pictures)
- Graphing - Create Tally Chart from Data (Text)
- Graphing - Create Table from Data (Text)
- Graphing - Tally Chart - Read Value