Qualitative data is best described as information that is

• A. expressed in numbers
• B. based on random sampling
• C. written in words about attitudes and beliefs
• D. derived from official statistics

Answer: (C)

Qualitative data is information described in words that captures meanings, opinions, attitudes, and experiences rather than numerical measurements. It provides rich, descriptive insights about how people think and feel, which is why it’s best described as written in words about attitudes and beliefs.

In contrast, data expressed as numbers describes quantities (quantitative data). The idea of random sampling relates to how data is collected, not the type of data itself, and official statistics are typically numerical outputs from organizations. So the description that best fits qualitative data is the one that emphasizes words about attitudes and beliefs.