{"id":2111,"date":"2020-01-12T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-12T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress-693453-2291131.cloudwaysapps.com\/?p=2111"},"modified":"2023-04-22T00:19:19","modified_gmt":"2023-04-21T22:19:19","slug":"qualitative-vs-quantitative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/","title":{"rendered":"Qualitative vs. Quantitative: Difference, Similarity and Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When analyzing or compiling data it is important to know whether the data is qualitative or quantitative. The key difference is that qualitative data is descriptive, where quantitative data is numerical.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before exploring the differences between the two types of data, it\u2019s necessary to define the two properly, so we\u2019ll be able to know which type of data is in use at any given time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-white ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66054512af212\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-66054512af212\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#qualitative-vs-quantitative-data-definitions\" title=\"Qualitative vs Quantitative Data: Definitions\">Qualitative vs Quantitative Data: Definitions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#qualitative-vs-quantitative-pros-and-cons\" title=\"Qualitative vs Quantitative: Pros and Cons&nbsp;\">Qualitative vs Quantitative: Pros and Cons&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#qualitative-pros-and-cons\" title=\"Qualitative Pros and Cons\">Qualitative Pros and Cons<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#pros\" title=\"Pros\">Pros<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#cons\" title=\"Cons\">Cons<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#quantitative-pros-and-cons\" title=\"Quantitative Pros and Cons\">Quantitative Pros and Cons<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#pros-2\" title=\"Pros\">Pros<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#cons-2\" title=\"Cons\">Cons<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#qualitative-versus-quantitative-similarities\" title=\"Qualitative versus Quantitative: Similarities\">Qualitative versus Quantitative: Similarities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#qualitative-vs-quantitative-differences-and-examples\" title=\"Qualitative vs Quantitative: Differences and Examples\">Qualitative vs Quantitative: Differences and Examples<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#qualitative-vs-quantitative-research\" title=\"Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research\">Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#qualitative-vs-quantitative-data\" title=\"Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data\">Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#example-of-quantitative-research-data\" title=\"Example of Quantitative Research &amp; Data\">Example of Quantitative Research &amp; Data<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#example-of-qualitative-research-data\" title=\"Example of Qualitative Research &amp; Data\">Example of Qualitative Research &amp; Data<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#comparison-chart\" title=\"Comparison Chart\">Comparison Chart<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#comparison-video\" title=\"Comparison Video\">Comparison Video<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/qualitative-vs-quantitative\/#conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"qualitative-vs-quantitative-data-definitions\"><\/span>Qualitative vs Quantitative Data: Definitions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Qualitative data is data which is measured by its value, rather than a numerical figure. For instance, qualities such as appearance and color are qualitative values. It is the <em>quality <\/em>of the data that is recorded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quantitative data, on the other hand, is data which is measured in numerical form, such as percentages and statistics, or the numerical dimensions of an item.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"qualitative-vs-quantitative-pros-and-cons\"><\/span>Qualitative vs Quantitative: Pros and Cons&nbsp;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It is important to know when to use qualitative or quantitative values, particularly when examining the difference between qualitative and quantitative research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"qualitative-pros-and-cons\"><\/span>Qualitative Pros and Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"pros\"><\/span>Pros<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>A greater depth of information<\/li><li>More descriptive information<\/li><li>Qualifiers such as \u201cVery\u201d can be used to further describe information.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"cons\"><\/span>Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Can lead to bias<\/li><li>Certain qualitative data can be subjective<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"quantitative-pros-and-cons\"><\/span>Quantitative Pros and Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"pros-2\"><\/span>Pros<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Allows for examination of specific hypotheses<\/li><li>Data can be simplified<\/li><li>Data can be generalized<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"cons-2\"><\/span>Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Does not allow for details (such as taste)<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"qualitative-versus-quantitative-similarities\"><\/span>Qualitative versus Quantitative: Similarities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are some similarities in the difference between qualitative and quantitative research. Whichever kind of data you are looking to compile, you are going to require raw data. This could be in the form of a collection of objects (for, perhaps, calculating the range of size \u2014 for quantitative data\u2014or color\u2014for qualitative data\u2014of fruit), or in the form of surveys completed by participants. These are only two examples, but they demonstrate the fact that whether you are analyzing qualitative or quantitative data, you will require something to measure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This leads to a second similarity. Both qualitative and quantitative forms are used as a way to collect, measure, and compare data.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, both forms have the same end: to produce a set of data which can then be easily analyzed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"qualitative-vs-quantitative-differences-and-examples\"><\/span>Qualitative vs Quantitative: Differences and Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s examine in some more detail the differences between qualitative and quantitative data. This will be key in deciding which form is most useful for you to use for any given information.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"qualitative-vs-quantitative-research\"><\/span>Qualitative vs. Quantitative Research<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Quantitative research, as we\u2019ve previously established, will give you figures, where qualitative research will give you facts, or statements. Quantitative research is used to sort through data in order to come to statistics that can be analyzed or implemented. These statistics can be simplified (10 in 100 can be simplified to 1 in 10; the same simplification cannot be implemented with qualitative data).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"qualitative-vs-quantitative-data\"><\/span>Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Quantitative data is objective: there can be no bias in measurable statistics. Qualitative data can be subjective. That is, if an object is described as \u201clarge\u201d, this is subjective. One person\u2019s idea of \u201clarge\u201d may be different to another person\u2019s. Furthermore, qualitative data can sometimes necessitate context. In terms of the largest buildings in the United States, large has far different connotations than, for example, when used to describe the size of fruit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quantitative data does not have these concerns. If the height of a building or a piece of fruit is measured numerically, there\u2019s no subjectivity in, say, a number of inches. 7 inches is 7 inches and, assuming the measurement was precise, cannot be argued with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Quantitative data, therefore, is best implemented for anything which can be objectively measured. Examples can include commute time, a person\u2019s height, a number of hours worked, and so on. Research on these will result in hard numerical data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Qualitative data, on the other hand, is better for subjective analysis. Although examples given are fairly simplistic qualitative research is still useful. For instance, data collected from a focus group will usually be qualitative.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"example-of-quantitative-research-data\"><\/span>Example of Quantitative Research &amp; Data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take the example of a focus group discussing a new restaurant. Management is interested in ensuring their food is being positively received by customers, but also that they are making a profit and that their food is consistent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s take consistency. Quantitative research will be most useful here. Management could weigh every portion of lasagne. For customer satisfaction, for product control, and for cost-efficiency, they would want each portion of lasagne to weigh the same. This research will result in numerical, objective data, let\u2019s say 200g. This research is useful for management, because if the weight of portions of lasagne range from 150g to 250g, they will know they are not being consistent enough in their portions. Nonetheless, the data is objective.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"example-of-qualitative-research-data\"><\/span>Example of Qualitative Research &amp; Data<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Now let\u2019s imagine they host a focus group for customer satisfaction. Several customers might say that they feel there is not enough meat in the lasagne. This is subjective: one customer\u2019s idea of too little meat might be another customer\u2019s perfect amount. The customer\u2019s complaint cannot be objectively measured, and it can be argued with. This is still important for the management to know, however, because if a large number of customers have the same complaint they will know that this is something that they have to work on for high customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"comparison-chart\"><\/span>Comparison Chart<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To be precise: quantitative research results in data that can be quantified; qualitative research results in data that expresses the qualities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table alignfull is-style-stripes\"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Qualitative<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Quantitative<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Subjective<\/td><td>Objective<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Focus groups<\/td><td>Measurements\/surveys<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Qualities<\/td><td>Numerical figures<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Qualitative-vs-Quantitative-Comparison-Chart.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Qualitative-vs-Quantitative-Comparison-Chart-960x1024.png\" alt=\"Qualitative vs. Quantitative Comparison Chart\" class=\"wp-image-2116\"\/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"comparison-video\"><\/span>Comparison Video<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Qualitative and Quantitative Research\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/69qP8kFJp_k?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.difference101.com\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To conclude, both quantitative and qualitative research have their uses, but it is important to know which one to implement at any given time. It is also important to know which has been used when analyzing the data, so as not to fall into the error of disagreeing with objective fact, or taking subjective suggestions as infallible fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Image Courtesy:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Photo by&nbsp;Louis Reed on Unsplash<\/li><li>Photo by&nbsp;Carlos Muza on Unsplash<\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When analyzing or compiling data it is important to know whether the data is qualitative or quantitative. The key difference is that qualitative data is descriptive, where quantitative data is numerical.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2115,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[113],"tags":[111,112],"offerexpiration":[],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":2111,"fr":2816,"pt":2960,"de":10964},"pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2111"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10922,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2111\/revisions\/10922"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2111"},{"taxonomy":"offerexpiration","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.difference101.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/offerexpiration?post=2111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}