Quantitative Data
Physical Education: AQA GCSE, topic 5.1.1
Quantitative Data
There are 2 types of data - qualitative and quantitative data. Quantitative data is a measurement that is recorded as a number (quantified). You can measure it in seconds, metres, centimetres, levels or kilograms.
No opinion
- This is a matter of fact; no opinions are expressed.
- These scores can be compared against national averages.
Findings are quantified
- Findings are quantified (placed into numerical form). An example would be the time taken in minutes/seconds or the number of points scored in basketball.
Examples of quantitative data
- Fitness test scores (seconds taken or kilograms lifted).
- Heart rate recordings from physical activity.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Quantitative Data
Quantitative data deals with numbers.
Advantage
- An advantage of this type of data is that we can produce statistics to measure performance.
Disadvantage
- A disadvantage of this type of data is that it does not provide reasons for the results.
Collecting Quantitative Data
Quantitative data can be collected in a number of ways.
Questionnaires
- These are a series of questions asked to a certain number of participants.
- The number of participants giving a certain answer to a certain question can be expressed as a number.
Surveys
- This records the number of people who give the same answer to a question.
- We can then work out the most common or least common answer by the number of people who gave it.
Heart rate monitors
- These record heart rate data as a number (beats per minute).
- This can be recorded and put onto a graph to show progress over time.
Stopwatches
- These can record the time taken to complete a test, such as the Illinois agility test (common fitness test).
Test yourself on Quantitative Data
Which of the following statements about quantitative data are correct?
Which of these is not quantitative data?
Which of these is an advantage of using quantitative data?
Which of these is NOT a method of collecting quantitative data?