Which type of data can be analyzed using the median?

The median is a measure of central tendency that represents the middle value in a data set when the values are arranged in ascending or descending order. The key characteristic of the median is that it is applicable to ordinal data, which can be ranked or ordered, but the intervals between the values do not have to be equal.

Ordinal data provides a natural ordering of categories, making it feasible to identify a middle point or median. For example, in a survey with responses rated as "poor," "fair," "good," and "excellent," you can organize these responses and find the median ranking to understand central tendencies in that data set.

While the median can also be applied to interval and ratio data, which include the properties of ordinal data with equal intervals and a true zero point, the primary distinction of the median is its usefulness in scenarios where only the ranks matter, such as with ordinal data. Therefore, the correct answer highlights this unique qualification of the median in relation to data types, emphasizing its applicability to ordinal data specifically.