What is the difference between Qualitative Data and Quantitative Data?

Qualitative data and quantitative data are the means of collecting and studying data. Qualitative is a type of data collected through observation, interview, and observation. This data is used to get information such as properties, characteristics, features, and attributes of a person or an object, this data approach is subjective and also non-statistical in nature.

The collection of data is unstructured, while the quantitative data includes mathematical calculations and numbers. This type of data can be measured and expressed mathematically. Quantitative data is statistical in nature, and the collection of data has to be structured example of ways questions are asked: how many people were at the party? The sample number has to be large, and the approach must be objective.

The purpose of qualitative data is to observe descriptions, but not to compute. On the contrary, quantitative data focuses on numbers and mathematical calculations, and it can be calculated and computed. These two different types of data are employed in fields such as marketing, business, public health, and sociology. Qualitative data is used to classify objects based on their characteristics and properties. Quantitative data is used to express information numerically.

The analysis of qualitative data is non-statistical, while quantitative data is statistical. The approach of qualitative data is subjective, and it is conclusive. Qualitative data determines the depth of understanding, while quantitative data determine the level of occurrence. The desired outcome of qualitative data is to develop initial understanding, while the desired result of quantitative is to recommend the final course of action.

Qualitative data is a type of data collected that shows or reveals certain characteristics, properties, attributes, features, etc. of a particular phenomenon. This type of data can't be generated through measurements, and they can't be represented by numerical values. Qualitative data is mostly generated or gathered by using different kinds of methods such as observations, interviews; whether one-to-one or the one that is centered on groups, etc. This type of data is usually based on things like physical traits, sex, color, etc.

Qualitative data can only be used to describe certain qualities or characteristics of a particular phenomenon. Quantitative data, on the other hand, is a type of data that can be measured, counted, which can be expressed using numbers. Unlike qualitative data can be represented with a number of code, name, or symbol, quantitative data can be represented by using graphs, charts, histograms, etc. Qualitative data cannot be relied on always, and that is why both quantitative and qualitative data are used together.