For each data set determine if it is quantitative or qualitative & which level of measurement best applies.
(A) A hospital records the birth weights of newborns.

• A. Quantitative, Ratio
• B. Quantitative, Interval
• C. Qualitative, Nominal
• D. Qualitative, Ordinal

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the difference between quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data represents numerical values that can be measured or counted, while qualitative data represents categories or labels without inherent numerical meaning.
2. Step 2: Identify the type of data in the problem. Birth weights of newborns are numerical measurements representing how much each newborn weighs, so this is quantitative data.
3. Step 3: Review the levels of measurement: Nominal (categories without order), Ordinal (categories with order), Interval (numerical scales without a true zero), and Ratio (numerical scales with a true zero).
4. Step 4: Determine the appropriate level of measurement for birth weights. Since weight has a meaningful zero point (zero weight means no weight) and ratios are meaningful (e.g., 4 kg is twice as heavy as 2 kg), the level of measurement is Ratio.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the data set is Quantitative and the level of measurement is Ratio.