From Data to Wisdom: Applying Quantitative and Qualitative Data

By: Mary Parsatoon

In public health, we are continuously looking over or collecting data to better understand the needs of our community. But does having data mean we understand a community?  

Review the pyramid below. As you can see, data is only the initial step towards better understanding the needs in a community. When combined with further information, knowledge, and wisdom, public health professionals have the full set of tools that they need to make more effective decisions. Strong data at the start can set the foundation for building up the pyramid. One method to better ensure you have strong data is by using a mixed methods approach. This includes collecting or analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data.  

Image source: Social Impact (2022)

When you’re looking at the Minnesota Student Survey, Bridge to Health Survey, or U.S. Census data, you are probably looking at quantitative data. Quantitative data is numerical and can be measured statistically.  For example, zip codes are numerical but if you were to add them up for a community and divide by the number of community members you would get a meaningless number, so it is not quantitative data. Because we make so many decisions about how we collect, analyze, interpret, quantitative data, it can’t be objective.

Descriptive data typically captured in conducting interviews, focus groups, or by asking open-ended questions is qualitative data. This data can help share personal stories, fill gaps in quantitative data, and is an opportunity to highlight voices that are not typically captured in existing data sources. Make sure you don’t reduce the value of qualitative data by calling community voice subjective. All data has a level of subjectivity. 

Why is this important to know? Qualitative and quantitative data each have their strengths and weaknesses, so it is good to know what kind of data you’re looking at and if it is the right fit to answer your questions. When collecting data to tell a story such as the needs in your community, it is best practice to have both quantitative and qualitative data such as when drafting a local Community Health Assessment (CHA). Consider using both when you transition from data to knowledge or understanding. This is critical in how we use data to formulate our work. 

To learn more, look through this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention article that dives deeper into the definitions and value of qualitative and quantitative data in public health practice.