1. Qualitative vs. Quantitative
Data Collection and Analysis

2. What’s the Difference? Two different methods.
Difference in questions asked.
Difference in experiment choice.
Difference in data summary.

3. Quantitative Think NUMBERS. Quantitative = Quantity
Things that can be measured.
Length, Height, Mass, Volume, Time, Speed.
Assigned a Number value.

4. Example Tree in the woods Quantitative Data 15 m tall
230 cm in diameter at trunk
312 cm circumference

5. Another Example
Glass of sea water
17°C
437 ml in volume
437 g in mass

6. Qualitative Think DESCRIPTION Qualitative = Quality
Things that are seen but not measured.
Texture, Color, Smell, Taste, Movement, Behavior, etc.

7. Example Tree Again Branches restricted to upper 3rd of trunk.
Qualitative
Brown trunk, bark is rough and flaky.
Leaves are needle shaped
Branches restricted to upper 3rd of trunk.
Stiff/Rigid, little sway in wind.

8. Example 2 Sea Water Qualitative Strong salt odor.
Cloudy
Low viscosity
Strong salt odor.
Visible floating materials – small and suspended.

9. Review Quantitative Qualitative NUMBERS Length, Mass, Volume
Measurements
Length, Mass, Volume
Qualitative
DESCRIPTION
Observations
Smell, Texture, Behavior