What is qualitative data
What is Qualitative Data?
Qualitative data is non-numerical information that describes qualities, characteristics, and experiences. It answers questions like "why," "how," and "what does it mean?"
Examples of Qualitative Data
- Interview transcripts
- Open-ended survey responses
- Focus group discussions
- Observations and field notes
- Documents and artifacts
- Social media posts and comments
- Customer reviews and feedback
Characteristics
- Rich and Detailed: Provides context and nuance
- Descriptive: Uses words rather than numbers
- Subjective: Reflects individual perspectives
- Flexible: Can explore unexpected topics
- Contextual: Understands data within its setting
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data
| Aspect | Qualitative | Quantitative |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Text, images, audio | Numbers, statistics |
| Analysis | Interpretation | Calculation |
| Questions | Why? How? | How many? How much? |
| Sample | Smaller, purposive | Larger, random |
| Generalization | Insights, patterns | Statistical inference |
Working with Qualitative Data in Qualz.ai
Qualz.ai helps you collect and analyze qualitative data efficiently:
- Collect: AI-moderated interviews, dynamic surveys
- Organize: Transcript management and tagging
- Analyze: Automated coding, theming, and multi-lens analysis
- Report: Generated insights and visualizations