Qualitative or Quantitative? And What Does That Mean?
As everyone knows, maps come in so many different shapes, sizes, and variations, but many wonder if they’re more broadly qualitative or quantitative in nature. The answer is both!
Now, there are some maps that function as both simultaneously. Those taking a closer look at our mountain ranges immediately come to mind.
But as the data being communicated is categorically very different from one another, many maps will generally qualify as either qualitative or quantitative, lending each of them to function better for some subjects and uses than others.
Want to learn more about these maps types? Continue reading below for information on what separates qualitative from quantitative maps, what they’re best used for, and how you can tell which is which.
Let's STart With Definitions
Before we get any further along, we must first be clear on just what we mean by “qualitative” and “quantitative.” To be brief, qualitative things have to do with data that is descriptive and observable but not necessarily directly measurable. Meanwhile, something that’s quantitative relies on numerical and countable data.
Expanding upon these very bare-bones definitions, quantitative data and qualitative data are nearly each others’ opposites.
Where quantitative data is focused on telling us about numbers, qualitative data relates more to language － helping us to make sense of and chart out information that wouldn’t usually be quantifiable. Because of this, the former is more strictly factual and fixed, whereas the latter is more dynamic and interpretable.
Okay, so how would you go about collecting these wildly different types of data, then? Well, that’s easy with quantitative data － it’s done simply by analyzing any given stats.
But things are a little more artistic and creative with qualitative data, as information has to be grouped together in meaningful ways, either thematically or categorically.
This is Relatable How?
Sitting there wondering how this translates into the world of maps? Qualitative maps draw on their thematic data and relay information about whether a chosen subject is present (or possibly absent!) in an area. Meanwhile, a quantitative map uses statistics to present information related to numbers.
In many ways, this then allows quantitative maps to go deeper into the characteristics of geographic area than qualitative maps, as elevation, temperature, population counts, etc., are all frequently touched on. An especially timely example is the coronavirus maps that visually represent disease spread in our communities and countries.
However, none of this means that qualitative ones don’t have their fair share of positives. While they’re not great at nominal specifics, these maps give an excellent overview of landscape features like vegetation, ground/surface texture, essential roads and pathways, property lines, and more. It very much boils down to the big picture vs the little picture, and each absolutely has its uses in everyday life.
How To Differentiate Them
On paper, both qualitative and quantitative maps seem pretty abstract but telling them apart is actually pretty easy. A good place to start is by looking for units of measurement.
Since quantitative maps showcase data that’s number-driven and concrete, you’ll nearly always be able to distinguish them by locating legends or text that mention percentages, meters/kilometers, and degrees/Celsius. On top of this, prominent numbers are generally also a pretty good tell that what you’re looking at is a quantitative map.
But what about those that are qualitative? Qualitative maps will frequently stick out by being a little more simplistic and (oftentimes) colorful. Their legends or keys typically lack traditional units of measurements and instead trade them for labels or categories.
If you’re having trouble picturing this, maps depicting dominant racial groups or languages can help you see it in practice. Rather basic in comparison to their number-centric counterparts, there’s not a lot to them. Yet they still concisely sum up complex realities we can see in our daily lives but can’t really express throughout other means.
