Measures of Variability for Qualitative Variables Using the R Software

Abstract

Although there are many measures of variability for qualitative variables, they are little used in social research, nor are they included in statistical software. The aim of this article is to present six measures of variation for qualitative variables of simple calculation, as well as to facilitate their use by means of the R software. The measures considered are, on the one hand, Freeman’s variation ratio, Moral’s universal variation ratio, Kvalseth’s standard deviation from the mode, and Wilcox’s variation ratio which are most affected by proximity to a constant random variable, where the measures of variability for qualitative variables reach their minimum value of 0. On the other hand, the Gibbs-Poston index of qualitative variation and Shannon’s relative entropy are included, which are more affected by the proximity to a uniform distribution, where the measures of variability for qualitative variables reach their maximum value of 1. Point and interval estimation are addressed. Bootstrap by the percentile and bias-corrected and accelerated percentile methods are used to obtain confidence intervals. Two calculation situations are presented: with a sample mode and with two or more modes. The standard deviation from the mode among the six considered measures, and the universal variation ratio among the three variation ratios, are particularly recommended for use.