Which term reflects data that has values mainly based on categories?

The term that reflects data with values mainly based on categories is qualitative data. This type of data is used to describe characteristics or qualities that can be categorized but not measured in numerical terms. Qualitative data often includes attributes or labels that define different groups or classes within the dataset.

For example, data such as colors, types of animals, or names of cities are all qualitative because they can be categorized based on their distinct characteristics rather than measured in quantities. This distinction allows for the analysis of non-numeric information, making it vital in fields such as social sciences, market research, and descriptive statistics.

Discrete data refers to countable items often represented in whole numbers, while continuous data can take any value within a range, making it numeric and measurable. Quantitative data encompasses both discrete and continuous data, focusing primarily on numerical values rather than categorical distinctions. Hence, qualitative data correctly identifies the nature of the information as categorized rather than quantified.