What are the differences between quantitative data and qualitative data? What are examples of each?

     The two main types of data are quantitative data and qualitative data. There are several differences between quantitative data and qualitative data, but one can find value in both types of data. Quantitative data refers to a certain type of information, which can be expressed numerically or counted (Cherry, 2013). Quantitative data is frequently collected in experiments, statistically analyzed, and manipulated (Cherry, 2013). There are several different ways to represent quantitative data, such as in charts, tables, histograms, and visually in graphs. An examples of quantitative data would be an exact count, such as "18" veterans commit suicide each day, "126" each week, and "6,552" each year who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (Expedition Balance, 2010). Quantitative data is often contrasted with qualitative data. Qualitative data is not stated or exactly measured in terms of numbers, therefore if a soldier is interviewed about another soldier who suffers from PTSD and he or she is asked what they thought about the mental state of the other soldier, his or her response is referred to as qualitative data. Qualitative data is not concrete, although it offers a beneficial insight, whereas quantitative data provides immediate feedback.  

Reference

Cherry, K. (2013). About.com: Psychology. Retrieved from http://psychology.about.com/od/qindex/g/quant_data.htm
Expedition Balance . (2010). Retrieved from http://www.expeditionbalance.org/ptsd-problem/ptsd-facts.php