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Describing Attributes
Under Investigation

Learn how to identify what is being measured, how it is measured, and what units are used: the foundation of all statistical thinking.

6th Grade Math

What Is an Attribute?

An attribute is a measurable or observable characteristic of the things you are studying. When we collect data, we are always measuring a specific attribute of each individual or object in our group.

Height
How tall each student is
Temperature
How hot or cold it is outside
Test Score
Number of correct answers

Why Describing Matters

If two scientists both measure "how fast something moves" but one uses miles per hour and the other uses meters per second, their numbers look completely different. Describing the attribute carefully prevents confusion and makes data meaningful.

Scientist A 60 miles per hour Scientist B 26.8 meters per second =

The Three Key Questions

Every time you describe an attribute under investigation, answer these three questions:

1
What is the attribute? Name the characteristic being measured (e.g., height, weight, time).
2
How was it measured? Describe the method or tool used (e.g., ruler, scale, stopwatch, survey).
3
What units is it measured in? Specify the unit of measurement (e.g., inches, pounds, seconds).

Formal Definition

Attribute Description WHAT Name the characteristic "height of students" HOW Describe the measurement method "measured with a tape" UNITS Specify the unit of measurement "recorded in inches"

Numerical vs. Categorical Attributes

Not all attributes are measured with numbers. Understanding the type of attribute helps you choose the right tools and units.

Numerical Categorical
Definition Measured with numbers Described with labels
Examples Height, weight, time Color, favorite sport
Units cm, kg, seconds No standard units
Measurement Tool Ruler, scale, stopwatch Survey, observation

Common Measurement Methods

Different attributes require different tools and techniques. Identifying the method tells others exactly how you got your data.

Direct Measurement
Using a tool like a ruler, scale, or thermometer to measure directly
Counting
Tallying occurrences, like the number of books read per month
Survey / Questionnaire
Asking questions to gather responses from individuals

Understanding Units of Measurement

The unit of measurement tells us the scale used to assign a number to the attribute. Without units, a number is meaningless.

0 50 100 150 80 80 what? cm? lbs? seconds? The unit gives meaning.

How to Describe an Attribute

1
Read the context. Identify who or what was studied and what question was being answered.
2
Name the attribute. State the specific characteristic that was measured (e.g., "the height of 6th graders").
3
Identify the method. Describe how the data was collected (e.g., "measured with a yardstick against a wall").
4
State the units. Specify the unit of measurement (e.g., "recorded in inches").
5
Check: is it numerical or categorical? This determines which statistical tools apply.

Example 1: Plant Growth

Attribute
Height of bean plants after 14 days of growth
Method
Measured from soil to tip of tallest leaf with a ruler
Units
Centimeters (cm): a numerical, continuous attribute

Example 2: Commute Time

Attribute: Time Method: Stopwatch Units: Minutes

Example 3: Favorite Subject

Attribute
Favorite school subject: this is a categorical attribute (no numbers)
Method
Written survey: each student wrote one subject name on paper
Units
No standard units: responses are category labels, not numbers

Why the Method Matters

The same attribute can be measured in different ways, and the method affects the data. For example, consider measuring "how much water a student drinks per day":

Method A Method B
Tool Graduated cylinder Student estimate
Precision Exact (to nearest mL) Approximate
Reliability High Lower (guessing)
Units Milliliters (mL) "Cups" (varies)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕ Forgetting Units
Writing "the height is 62" without saying inches or centimeters. The number means nothing without a unit.
✕ Vague Attribute Names
Saying "we measured size" instead of specifying which dimension: length, width, weight, or volume?
✕ Skipping the Method
Not explaining how data was collected. Was it a survey? Direct measurement? Observation? This affects trust in the data.

Summary: Putting It All Together

Component What to Write Example
Attribute The characteristic measured Height of students
Method Tool or technique used Measured with a tape measure
Units Standard unit of measurement Inches (in)
Type Numerical or categorical Numerical (continuous)

Question 1 of 5

A scientist measures the mass of 40 rocks using a digital scale and records each mass in grams. Which of the following best describes the attribute under investigation?

Question 2 of 5

A student writes: "I measured 65." What is missing from this description of the attribute?

Question 3 of 5

Which of the following attributes is categorical rather than numerical?

Question 4 of 5

Two classes both measured "how far students can jump." Class A used feet and Class B used meters. Why does this create a problem?

Question 5 of 5

A survey asked 100 people: "How many hours do you sleep each night?" Responses were rounded to the nearest hour. Which description is most complete?