Qualitative data
Qualitative Data
Qualitative data (pronunciation: kwɒlɪˈteɪtɪv deɪtə) is a type of data that is non-numerical and is used in many different disciplines, including medicine, sociology, psychology, and business. It is often collected through methods such as interviews, observations, and case studies.
Etymology
The term "qualitative" comes from the Latin word qualitas, which means "quality" or "character". In this context, it refers to the characteristics and attributes that are used to describe something, rather than measuring it in numerical terms.
Related Terms
- Quantitative data: This is the opposite of qualitative data, and refers to data that can be measured numerically.
- Mixed methods: This is a research approach that combines both qualitative and quantitative data.
- Data analysis: This is the process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling data to discover useful information, inform conclusions, and support decision-making.
- Data collection: This is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes.
In Medicine
In medicine, qualitative data is often used in patient interviews, case studies, and observational research. It can provide insights into patient experiences, beliefs, and behaviors that cannot be captured through quantitative data alone.
In Sociology
In sociology, qualitative data is often used to understand social phenomena from the perspective of those experiencing it. This can include studying social interactions, cultural phenomena, and societal trends.
In Psychology
In psychology, qualitative data is often used to explore complex phenomena that cannot be easily quantified, such as emotions, thought processes, and behaviors.
In Business
In business, qualitative data is often used in market research to understand consumer behavior, preferences, and motivations.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Qualitative data
- Wikipedia's article - Qualitative data
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski