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BUS 232

What does your data tell you?

Choose a clear chart, find a typical value, and measure how much the data varies. Explore each idea, then work through complete problems with the course method and Excel.

Displaying data · Step 1 of 29

Start with what each value means

VariableType and level
Payment methodQualitative · nominal
Current data or calculated summary
Excel can organize and summarize data, but first choose the right kind of display. Qualitative data are categories. Quantitative data are amounts. Discrete values are counted; continuous values are measured. Measurement levels tell you which comparisons make sense.
Try it: Compare temperature with delivery time. Only one has a meaningful zero.
Choose a variable
Names, with no natural order: cash, card, transfer.
For Excel's analysis tools, enable Analysis ToolPak in Add-ins, then choose Data → Data Analysis. On Windows, find Add-ins under File → Options; on Mac, use Tools → Excel Add-ins. Ordinary formulas also work without the add-in.
Check yourself
A customer ID contains digits. What level is it?

Need a clearer way to tackle your statistics problems?

Bring your problem sets. We work through them together until every type feels routine.

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  • In person, we meet at the SFU Burnaby campus or in a private meeting room near Brentwood in Burnaby. Online sessions run on Zoom. You choose when you book.