Which term refers to data that groups information into distinct categories or labels rather than numerical values?

Which term refers to data that groups information into distinct categories or labels rather than numerical values?

• A. One-Hot Encoding
• B. Longitudinal (time-series) data
• C. Categorical Data
• D. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)

Answer: (C)

Categorical data are data that group information into distinct categories or labels rather than numerical values. This makes them qualitative in nature, like colors, brands, or yes/no responses, and they can be nominal (no inherent order) or ordinal (with an order). The key feature is that the data express categories rather than quantities, which is why this term best fits the description. Time-series data track measurements over time; one-hot encoding is a way to represent categories as binary features, not the data type itself; and Exploratory Data Analysis is a process for examining data, not a data type.

Categorical data are data that group information into distinct categories or labels rather than numerical values. This makes them qualitative in nature, like colors, brands, or yes/no responses, and they can be nominal (no inherent order) or ordinal (with an order). The key feature is that the data express categories rather than quantities, which is why this term best fits the description. Time-series data track measurements over time; one-hot encoding is a way to represent categories as binary features, not the data type itself; and Exploratory Data Analysis is a process for examining data, not a data type.