Quantitative data Data which has numerical values and is collected through measurement e.g. recording slope angles. Qualitative data is non-numerical data that is used in a relatively unstructured and open-ended way. It is descriptive information, which often comes from interviews, focus groups or artistic depictions such as photographs.
Primary or Secondary Data
Primary data New data which has not previously been collected or processed. All data collected in person is primary data.
Secondary data Obtained through research of what has typically already been published.
Discrete or Continuous Data
Data can also be either:
Discrete (aka discontinuous) - data can only take certain values e.g. whole numbers, or shoe sizes.
Continuous - data is measured e.g. length, time, and can take any value.
Categorical data is where there is no numerical value, but data can still be sorted into groups e.g. preferences from an interview.
Other Types of Data
Crowd sourced data Individuals and organisations use contributions from internet users to obtain insight into required services or ideas. Crowd sourced information could be used to obtain interview and questionnaire data.
Geospatial Data and information which has geographical positioning information included with it, such as a road network in GIS form, or a geo-references satellite image. OS map coordinates also provide a geo-spatial reference.
Information Sources: Pearson Education Ltd. 2017. Guide to Maths for Geographers.