Qualitative Data Explained | Comparison to Quantitative Data | Data Examples | How to Analyze

Summary

This Delve video script explores qualitative data, contrasting it with quantitative data. It highlights the descriptive nature of qualitative data, which captures feelings, appearances, and motivations, unlike numerical quantitative data. The script discusses various methods of collecting qualitative data, such as interviews, observations, and existing sources, and outlines analysis techniques like grounded theory and thematic analysis. It emphasizes the importance of qualitative coding in interpreting and structuring data for research.

Takeaways

• 📊 Qualitative data is descriptive and depicts qualities or characteristics, as opposed to quantitative data which is numerical.
• 👥 Qualitative data can provide insights into feelings, appearances, motivations, and other non-numerical aspects of a group of people.
• 🔢 Quantitative data provides numerical information such as counts, measurements, and statistics.
• 🧩 Qualitative data can fill the gaps left by quantitative data, offering explanations for observed numerical trends.
• 📝 Types of qualitative data include audio and video recordings, transcripts, observational notes, and participant-created artifacts like diary accounts.
• 👀 Observations can generate qualitative data through photos, videos, and detailed notes of research participants and their environments.
• 📚 Qualitative data can be sourced from existing documents, personal records, and physical artifacts that are relevant to the research.
• 🎥 Multimedia content such as films, news reports, and social media posts are rich sources of qualitative data.
• 🔍 Qualitative data analysis involves methodologies like grounded theory, thematic analysis, and narrative analysis, rather than mathematical techniques.
• 💻 Qualitative coding is a key process in analyzing qualitative data, helping to interpret, organize, and structure findings.
• 🔗 Delve software offers a platform for qualitative coding, with a free trial available for researchers to start their analysis.

Q & A

What is the primary distinction between qualitative and quantitative data?

Qualitative data is descriptive and depicts qualities or characteristics, while quantitative data is numerical.

How can qualitative data complement quantitative data in research?

Qualitative data can address the blind spots of quantitative data by providing insights into why certain phenomena occur, beyond just the numerical data.

What are some examples of qualitative data that can be collected from a group of people?

Examples include descriptions of how they feel, their physical appearance, clothing, and motivations for being present.

How can qualitative data help in understanding the performance of a school district?

Qualitative data can reveal factors such as strong leadership, high staff buy-in, and consistent instructional approaches that contribute to high performance.

What are the different ways qualitative data can be collected?

Qualitative data can be collected through in-depth interviews, focus groups, observations, participant-created artifacts like diary accounts, open-ended surveys, existing documents, and social media content.

What is the purpose of qualitative coding in the analysis of qualitative data?

Qualitative coding is a tool that helps interpret, organize, analyze, and structure qualitative data for research reports or narratives.

How does the analysis of qualitative data differ from that of quantitative data?

Qualitative data analysis uses methodologies like grounded theory, thematic analysis, and content analysis, rather than mathematical techniques used for quantitative data.

What are some examples of existing sources from which qualitative data can be collected?

Examples include public records, handbooks, policy outlines, personal documents, physical artifacts, and videos such as films or news reports.

How can social media serve as a source of qualitative data?

Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and blogs provide a vast array of content that can be analyzed for qualitative insights.

What is a case study in the context of qualitative research?

A case study is an in-depth investigation of a particular person or group of people that can be used as qualitative data.

What software is mentioned in the script for starting a free trial of qualitative coding?

Delve software is mentioned for qualitative coding, with a free trial available at www.delvetool.com/get started.