Teaching:TUW - UE InfoVis WS 2008/09 - Gruppe 09 - Aufgabe 1 - Types of Data (quantitative vs. qualitative)

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Definition

Qualitative Data

The term qualitative is used to describe certain types of information. Qualitative data are described in terms of quality (that is, 'informal' or relative characteristics such as warmth and flavour). This is the converse of quantitative, which more precisely describes data in terms of quantity and often using a numerical figure to represent something in a statement.
from Wikipedia, Nov 2008


Quantitative Data

[...] Quantitative data is data measured or identified on a numerical scale. Numerical data can be analysed using statistical methods, and results can be displayed using tables, charts, histograms and graphs. For example, a researcher will ask a questions to a participant that include words how often, how many or percentage. The answers from the questions will be numerical. [...] After the data is collected the researcher will make an analysis of the quantitative data and produce statistics.
from Wikipedia, Nov 2008




More

some more detailed features of

Qualitative data

  • Researcher tends to become subjectively immersed in the subject matter.
  • Qualitative data is more 'rich', time consuming, and less able to be generalized.
  • Researcher is the data gathering instrument.
  • Researcher may only know roughly in advance what he/she is looking for.
 vs.

Quantitative data

  • Researcher tends to remain objectively separated from the subject matter.
  • Quantitative data is more efficient, able to test hypotheses, but may miss contextual detail.
  • Researcher uses tools, such as questionnaires or equipment to collect numerical data.
  • Researcher knows clearly in advance what he/she is looking for.

Example: Oil Painting

Qualitative data:

  • blue/green color, gold frame
  • smells old and musty
  • texture shows brush strokes of oil paint
  • peaceful scene of the country
  • masterful brush strokes

Quantitative data:

  • picture is 10" by 14"
  • with frame 14" by 18"
  • weighs 8.5 pounds
  • surface area of painting is 140 sq. in.
  • cost $300
All research ultimately has a qualitative grounding
[Donald Campbell]


There's no such thing as qualitative data. Everything is either 1 or 0
[Fred Kerlinger]


Example for quantitative data:

qualitative data

References

[James Neill] Qualitative versus Quantitative Research: Key Points in a Classic Debate, http://wilderdom.com/research/QualitativeVersusQuantitativeResearch.html
[Donna Roberts] Qualitative vs Quantitative Data, http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/math/ALGEBRA/AD1/qualquant.htm
[Peter Levine] http://www.peterlevine.ws/mt/archives/cat_press_criticism.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantitative_data http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qualitative_data

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