What type of data is characterized by categories that have no numeric value?

The correct answer is nominal data, which is defined by its category-based nature that lacks any intrinsic numeric value. Nominal data is used to label variables without providing a rank or order. Examples include gender, colors, or types of animals, where each category is distinct and does not imply any quantitative value or sequence.

In contrast, ordinal data does involve categories but adds a level of order or ranking to those categories, where, for example, satisfaction can be rated as 'satisfied,' 'neutral,' or 'dissatisfied.' Continuous data refers to numeric values that can assume an infinite number of values within a given range, such as measurements of length or weight. Discrete data, while also numeric, consists of distinct or separate values, like the count of people or items, where only whole numbers are valid. Thus, nominal data stands out uniquely as it strictly consists of non-numeric categories.