Question

A​ start-up company built a database of customers and sales information. For each​ customer, it recorded the​ customer's name, zip​ code, region of the country​ (East, South,​ Midwest, West), date of last​ purchase, amount of purchase​ (in dollars), and item purchased. (a ) Identify whether the data are cross sectional or a time series. (b )Give a name to each variable and indicate if the variable is​ categorical, ordinal, or numerical​ (if a variable is​ numerical, include its units if​ possible). (c )List any concerns that you might have for the accuracy of the data.

Answer 1

(a) The data is cross-sectional.

(b) Name, ZIP, Region = Categorical variable

Last Purchase Date = Ordinal variable

Amount of purchase = Numerical/ Dollars

Items Purchased = Categorical variable

(C) The zip code​ (and presumably the region as​ well) depends on the honesty of the customer and on the effectiveness of the customer.