quantitative/qualitative data

• define quantitative data

  data in a numerical form which can be put into categories, rank order, or measured in units of measurement

  can be used to construct graphs and tables of raw data
• some examples of quantitative data include

  • closed answer questionnaires
  • data collected in experiments
  • observations- tallies on behaviour checklists
• • a strength of quantitative data is that its easier to analyse numerical measurements compared to descriptive qualitative data & make comparisons/conclusions
  • however it may lack validity as numbers may over simplify reality, eg closed answer questions may not represent ppts true feelings
• qualitative data is descriptive rather than quantified or counted, therefore it is observed/reported rather than measured
• name some examples of qualitative data 


  • case studies
  • open answer questionnaires
  • observations- description of behaviour observed eg Milgram
  • content analysis - converts qualitative data into quantitative data
• qualitative datas strengths include high validity because this type of data provides detailed information which provides insights into ppts true thoughts/behaviours, so more meaningful conclusions can be made