Which statement correctly describes qualitative data in lab results?

Which statement correctly describes qualitative data in lab results?

• A. Qualitative data describe what is present.
• B. Qualitative data describe how much.
• C. Qualitative data are used to calibrate instruments.
• D. Qualitative data are numerical.

Answer: (A)

Qualitative data are descriptive observations about what is present in a sample, not quantities. In lab results, they describe identity or properties—such as color change, presence or absence of a substance, or a visible trait—without assigning a numeric value. That makes describing what is present the best choice, because qualitative data capture categorical, descriptive information rather than amounts. The idea of how much would be quantitative data, which uses numbers; calibrating instruments typically relies on numerical standards, not just descriptive presence or absence. Qualitative data are not numerical by themselves.

Qualitative data are descriptive observations about what is present in a sample, not quantities. In lab results, they describe identity or properties—such as color change, presence or absence of a substance, or a visible trait—without assigning a numeric value. That makes describing what is present the best choice, because qualitative data capture categorical, descriptive information rather than amounts. The idea of how much would be quantitative data, which uses numbers; calibrating instruments typically relies on numerical standards, not just descriptive presence or absence. Qualitative data are not numerical by themselves.