In the Free State Province dairy cow smart-sensor study, what type of data is the Water Intake (L/day) values collected from 10 cows (42.3, 38.7, 45.1, 36.9, 40.5, 47.8, 39.2, 44.6, 41.0, 43.7)?
Cow ID | Water Intake (L/day)
Cow01 | 42.3
Cow02 | 38.7
Cow03 | 45.1
Cow04 | 36.9
Cow05 | 40.5
Cow06 | 47.8
Cow07 | 39.2
Cow08 | 44.6
Cow09 | 41.0
Cow10 | 43.7
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The Water Intake (L/day) values are quantitative, continuous numerical data. They are measured on a ratio scale (litres), since 0 L is meaningful and comparisons like “twice as much water” make sense.
What you are being asked to classify
You need to decide whether the recorded water intake values are numerical or descriptive, and if numerical, whether they are discrete (counts) or continuous (measurements).
Why water intake is quantitative
Each cow has a water intake value given as a number in litres per day (for example, 42.3 L/day). Because these are numbers that represent an amount, the data is quantitative.
Continuous vs discrete here
Water intake is obtained by measuring volume, not counting items. The values can include decimals (42.3, 38.7, etc.), and in principle could take many possible values within a range. That makes it continuous data.
Extra detail: the measurement scale (ratio)
Litres have a true zero point (0 L means no water consumed). So the variable is on a ratio scale, which allows meaningful ratio statements (for example, 40 L is twice 20 L).
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