What type of variable includes items that can be counted and placed in categories?

The correct choice describes categorical variables, which are defined as items that can be grouped into distinct categories or groups. These variables represent qualitative data, allowing for classification based on characteristics that cannot be measured in numerical terms. For instance, categories may include types of fruits (apples, oranges, bananas) or different educational levels (high school, bachelor’s, master’s).

This understanding is crucial in research methods, as categorical variables help in organizing data for analysis through frequency counts or proportions. This contrasts with continuous variables, which are measured on a numerical scale and can take on an infinite number of values within a given range, making them suitable for measurements such as height or temperature. Quantitative variables would encompass both continuous and categorical types but are generally linked to numeric data rather than solely categorical distinctions. Ordinal variables, while they can be categorized, involve a rank order but not the simple classification provided by categorical variables alone. Thus, the distinctive characteristic of categorical variables being able to be counted and placed into categories makes the chosen answer the most accurate.