Final answer:
The course section number in a survey is a qualitative variable because it is used for categorization and not for quantitative measurement. When collecting such data, understanding the difference between population, sample, parameter, and statistic is crucial in reporting and analyzing the data efficiently.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the example given where learners are asked to select their course section number for a survey, the type of variable that course section represents is a qualitative variable. This is because the section numbers (101, 102, 103) are categorical, used for labeling the course sections, and they do not have a quantitative value or order despite being represented by numbers. If you were to collect data as numbers and report it categorically, like converting quiz scores into grade letters (A, B, C, D, or F), you are using variables that can be categorized, not measured quantitatively.
In the context of data collection and analysis:
- Population refers to the entire group that you want to draw conclusions about.
- Sample refers to a subset of the population that is actually observed or analyzed.
- The parameter is a summary measure that describes a characteristic of the entire population.
- A statistic is a summary measure that describes a characteristic of a sample drawn from the population.