Identify whether the variable in the information below is qualitative or quantitative. Government agencies carefully monitor wat
er quality and its effect on wetlands (Reference: Environment Protection Agency Wetland Report EPA 832-R-93-005). Of particular concern is the concentration of nitrogen in water draining from fertilized lands. Too much nitrogen can kill fish and wildlife. Twenty-eight samples of water were taken at random from a lake. The nitrogen concentration (milligrams of nitrogen per liter of water) was determined for each sample.
Measured variables in statistics may be subdivided into quantitative or Qualitative variables depending on whether the variable in question is numeric or non-numeric. Variables which are designed to evaluate on the basis of Number or quantity may be termed as quantitative variables while those which measure attribute and are used for characterization are called Qualitative variables. In the scenario above, the variable is concerned with the determination of concentration of nitrogen draining into water bodies, concentration follows that numeric calculations be Made in other to determine the amount of nitrogen in milligram per Litre in a particular water body in other to prevent its effect on wildlife which could result from excessive concentration in water bodies.
