Quantitative vs Qualitative Data

Qualitative:

It is a non-numerical form of data usually exists in the form of text.

• Positivists would normally steer clear of qualitative data on the basis that it is difficult to analyse ina systematic or reliable way, it is likely to be subjective and unscientific.

Comes in the form of:

• Descriptions
• Observed not measured
• Open questions
• Unstructured
• Smaller samples
• relies on language

Interpretivists like using qualitative data as it is the sort of data that is likely to be more valid and can provide real verstehen as interactionists – more interested in understanding behaviour.

• It can include a great deal of detail and explore motivations and emotions rather than just empirical descriptions and correlations.

Quantitative:

Is numerical and is therefore useful for mathematical/statistical analysis and to be presented graphically.

• Positivists prefer this data as they consider it to more objective in nature (although statistics can be manipulated) and they deem it more scientific.
• It can reveal trends and correlations, but it cannot reveal valid reasons for either.

Comes in the form of:

• Numbers
• Measured
• Closed questions
• Structured
• Large samples