Final answer:
A property of an organism, event, or something else that can take on different values is called a variable. Variables are essential for analyzing differences and studying relationships in statistical research.
Step-by-step explanation:
Any property of an organism, event, or something else that can take on different values is called a variable. This characteristic or measurement can be determined for each member of a population and may cover values like weight, height, or qualitative aspects such as favorite color. Examples include continuous variables like distance traveled, which are the result of measuring, or discrete variables like the number of books on a shelf, which result from counting.In statistics, the role of a variable is crucial as it allows for the analysis of differences and the study of relationships between factors. Whether we are discussing numerical or categorical variables, these are the essential elements that form the backbone of data and sampling in statistical research.