What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?

Qualitative data is characterized as descriptive and conceptual, focusing on understanding the qualities, themes, and patterns inherent in the subject matter. It captures the richness of human experience through methods such as interviews, focus groups, and open-ended surveys, allowing researchers to explore complex phenomena in depth. This type of data often emphasizes the meaning and context behind people's experiences and behaviors, providing insights that quantitative data, which is numerical and seeks to measure variables statistically, may overlook.

Descriptive and conceptual aspects of qualitative data allow researchers to gather diverse perspectives and interpretive insights, thus facilitating a deeper understanding of social issues and human interactions than merely presenting numerical values. This contextual exploration is essential in social work research, where capturing the nuances of human behavior and social phenomena can lead to more effective interventions and policy development.