Understanding Quantitative Data

This chapter discusses the concept and measurement of quantitative data. Beginning with a brief overview on the types of data, broadly quantitative and qualitative, the chapter explains the characteristics of quantitative data. This is followed by different approaches to measurement, which result in data measured on nominal, ordinal, interval and ratio scales, giving relevant examples. Then, different methods of undertaking measurements, in the context of survey research in social sciences, like the Likert scale, numeric scale, constant sum scale (to name a few) are discussed with relevant examples. The nature of data generated from each of these measurement approaches is then discussed. References are also provided for digging deeper into the methodological concepts and approaches, at relevant places in the chapter.