Collecting data is an important part of any scientific investigation. There are two types of data. Quantitative data involves numbers such as "the length of the specimen is 4 centimeters." Qualitative data involves descriptions, characteristics, or features such as "bubbles formed when the two liquids were combined."

The chart below describes the differences in quantitative and qualitative data.

Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data
  • Data that describes the characteristics such as colors, smells texture, etc.
  • Qualitative → Quality

    • Example: It is cold outside.
  • Data which can be measured such as length, time, temperature, etc.
  • Quantitative → Quantity

Example: The temperature outside is 1.1 degree Celsius.