Which is not a characteristic of qualitative data?

• A. Descriptive
• B. Non-numerical
• C. Countable
• D. Categorical

Answer: (C)

Qualitative data is fundamentally different from quantitative data in several key ways. One of the primary characteristics of qualitative data is that it is descriptive in nature, encompassing observations about qualities, attributes, or characteristics of phenomena rather than numerical measurements. It is often used to capture complex concepts and subjective responses, which makes it primarily non-numerical. As such, qualitative data is typically categorized into groups or themes, which leads to the classification of this data as categorical.

The distinguishing feature of qualitative data is that it responds to questions of "what" rather than "how many." Because it is focused on attributes and descriptions rather than on quantification, qualitative data cannot be counted in the same way numerical data can. This is why the option indicating that qualitative data is countable does not align with its true characteristics. Qualitative data allows researchers to explore meanings, experiences, and contextual understanding, which enhances insight beyond mere numbers.