Which type of data is described as being ordered in some way, such as rankings?

Ordinal data is characterized by its ability to convey a meaningful order or ranking among the values it represents. This type of data is often used when the values can be logically arranged in a sequence, where the relative positioning is significant. For example, in a rating scale from "poor" to "excellent," each level conveys a specific order of quality that can be understood contextually.

In contrast, categorical data refers to distinct categories without any inherent order, such as types of cancer (e.g., breast, lung, colon). Continuous data involves numerical values that can be measured along a continuum, such as height or weight, where the differences between values are meaningful and quantifiable. Nominal data, similar to categorical data, represents preferences or attributes without any consideration for ranking or order, such as the colors of different tumors.

Thus, the distinction with ordinal data lies in its inherent ranking system, which allows for comparisons based on order, making D the appropriate choice for this question.