qualitative
UK: ˈkwɒl.ɪ.tə.tɪv | US: ˈkwɑː.lɪ.teɪ.t̬ɪv
adj. relating to or involving qualities rather than quantities
adj. (of research) focusing on descriptive analysis rather than numerical data
qualitative = qualit<quality> + ative<adjective suffix>
- qualit (from Latin qualitas, meaning "quality")
- ative (adjective-forming suffix, from Latin -ativus, indicating relation or tendency)
Etymology Origin:
The word qualitative traces back to the Latin qualitas (quality), combined with the suffix -ativus, which forms adjectives. It entered English via Medieval Latin qualitativus, reflecting a shift from describing inherent characteristics (qualities) to methods emphasizing descriptive analysis (e.g., qualitative research). The morphemes preserve the original Latin structure while adapting to English usage.
The study used a qualitative approach to explore patients' experiences.
Her analysis was more qualitative, focusing on themes rather than statistics.
Qualitative differences between the two products were evident in user feedback.
The researcher emphasized qualitative data to capture nuanced opinions.
This method provides qualitative insights that numbers alone cannot reveal.