Quantitative data are data that can be represented numerically, including counts and measurements:
- Discrete data can be counted in whole numbers (ex. the number of cars in a parking lot)
- Continuous data can take any value in a range (ex. elevation or temperature)
Qualitative data are concepts and information that cannot be represented by numbers:
- Text (diaries, notebooks, transcripts)
- Audio (interviews, sounds)
- Other media (maps, photographs)
Note that mixed methods approaches to research use both quantitative and qualitative data.
Additional Resources: