Differences Between Qualitative And Quantitative Data.
                     DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 
QUALITATIVE AND 
QUANTITATIVE DATA
Quantitative data
• Quantitative data refers to any information that can be quantified. Quantitative 
data is the one that focuses on numbers and mathematical calculations and can 
be calculated and computed.
Source: microbenotes.com
Types of quantitative data
• Quantitative data can be broken into further sub-categories. These categories 
are called discrete and continuous data.
• Discrete data is just data that cannot be broken down into smaller parts. 
Continuous data is data that can be infinitely broken down into smaller parts or 
data that continuously fluctuates.
Source: g2.com
Qualitative data
• Qualitative data is data concerned with descriptions, which can be observed 
but cannot be computed. 
• It’s descriptive, expressed in terms of language rather than numerical values.
Source: microbenotes.com
Data type
• The data type, in which the classification of objects is based on attributes 
(quality) is called qualitative data. The type of data which can be counted and 
expressed in numbers and values is called quantitative data.
Source: keydifferences.com
Research methodology
• The research methodology is exploratory in qualitative data, i.e. to provide 
insights and understanding. 
• On the other hand, quantitative data is conclusive in nature which aims at 
testing a specific hypothesis and examine the relationships.
Source: keydifferences.com
Approach
• The approach to inquiry in the case of qualitative data is subjective and holistic 
whereas quantitative data has an objective and focused approach.
Source: keydifferences.com
Structured Vs. Unstructured
• In qualitative data, there is an unstructured gathering of data. As against this, 
data collection is structured in quantitative data.
Source: keydifferences.com
Sample size
• In qualitative data the sample size is small and that too is drawn from non-
representative samples. 
• Conversely, the sample size is large in quantitative data drawn from the 
representative sample.
Source: keydifferences.com
What it tells?
• Qualitative data develops initial understanding, i.e. it defines the problem. 
Unlike quantitative data, which recommends the final course of action.
Source: keydifferences.com
Which data type is better for data analysis?
• Because quantitative data and structured data go hand-in-hand, quantitative 
data is generally preferred for data analysis.
• Qualitative data will almost always be considered unstructured data or semi-
structured. This type of data is loosely formatted with very little structure.
Source: g2.com