what is qualitative data

Why didn't you read the website I posted for you?

http://regentsprep.org/REgents/math/ALGEBRA/AD1/qualquant.htm

It does neither of us any good to ignore the advice of a tutor.

Qualitative data refers to non-numerical or subjective information that is collected through methods such as interviews, observations, surveys, or focus groups. Unlike quantitative data, which is based on measurements and numbers, qualitative data focuses on the quality and characteristics of a particular phenomenon.

To understand qualitative data, you can follow these steps:

1. Determine the research question: Start by identifying a specific research question or topic that you want to explore using qualitative data.

2. Select the data collection method: Choose a suitable method for collecting qualitative data. Examples include interviews, observations, document analysis, or open-ended surveys.

3. Gather the data: Use the chosen method to collect the data. Conduct interviews, observe the subject of study, or gather relevant documents, depending on your research question.

4. Transcribe and organize the data: If you conducted interviews or recorded observations, transcribe the data into a readable format. Organize the data by themes, categories, or codes to facilitate analysis.

5. Analyze the data: Use various techniques such as thematic analysis, content analysis, or grounded theory to identify patterns, themes, or concepts within the data. Look for similarities, differences, and relationships between different qualitative data points.

6. Interpret and draw conclusions: Once the analysis is complete, interpret the findings and draw conclusions based on the patterns and themes identified in the data. This step involves making subjective judgments, providing explanations, and generating theories based on the qualitative data.

Examples of qualitative data could be descriptive narratives from interviews, field notes from observations, or thematic responses from survey questions that require open-ended answers. It provides rich, detailed insights into people's experiences, behaviors, perceptions, and beliefs, allowing for a deeper understanding of a phenomenon.