Qualitative data can also be referred to as what?

Qualitative data is often referred to as categorical data because it represents categories or groups rather than numerical values. This type of data is used to describe characteristics or qualities, allowing for classification based on attributes or properties.

Categorical data can bridge into two subtypes: nominal and ordinal. Nominal data represents categories without a specific order, such as colors or types of cuisine, while ordinal data represents categories with a defined order, such as rankings or ratings. While both nominal and ordinal data can be types of qualitative data, the broader term that encompasses them is categorical data. Therefore, referring to qualitative data as categorical data is accurate, as it encapsulates the essence of non-numeric, characteristic-driven information.