Types of Variables

Qualitative or attribute variable:

the characteristics or variable being studied is non numeric.

Examples: gender, religious affiliation, type of automobile owned, state of birth, eye colour

Quantitative variables: 

the variable can be reported numerically.

Examples: balance in your checking account, minutes remaining in class, number of children in a family.

Quantitative variables can be classified as either discrete or continuous

Discrete variables:

It can only assume certain values and there are usually "gaps" between values.

Example: the number of bedrooms in a house

Continuous variables:

It can assume any value within a specific range.

Example: The time it takes fly from Sydney to New York.