What is a variable in statistics?

A variable in statistics is defined as a characteristic or attribute that can take on different values among subjects in a study. This concept is fundamental in statistics because it allows researchers to measure, analyze, and draw conclusions about the diversity and relationships within data. For instance, variables can include factors such as age, height, test scores, and other measurable attributes that vary between individual subjects or cases.

In a study, the ability to have varying values among the subjects enables researchers to study correlations, distributions, and trends. Variables can be classified broadly into types such as categorical and quantitative, reflecting their nature and how they can be measured or interpreted within a statistical framework. This flexibility and variability make them integral to the data collection process, hypothesis testing, and overall analysis in statistics.