Quantitative and Qualitative Data

Quantitative data is information that can be measured and written as numbers. It relates to quantity, so it is numerical or statistical: you can count it, compare amounts and work out averages or percentages. For example, a survey for a youth club might ask how many evenings a week you would use a new games room; answers such as 2 or 4 are quantitative.

Qualitative data describes the quality of something. It covers information that cannot be expressed as numbers, such as feelings, opinions, reasons and descriptions. The same survey could ask what you enjoy about the games room. Answers like “it is a friendly place to meet friends” or “the equipment is too old” are qualitative because they describe and explain rather than count.

Comparing the two

One survey, both types

A single questionnaire can collect both kinds of data at once. Closed questions that ask for a number or an amount, such as how often or how many, give quantitative data, while open questions with a comment box usually give qualitative data. Using both helps you understand what is happening and why. For example, a museum could ask how many times visitors have been in the last year, then ask which exhibition they enjoyed most and why. The counts show repeat visits; the descriptions explain what made an impression.