VCE Data Analysis Definitions Worksheet: Types and purposes of data (Modules 3–14)
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Date:
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Key terms
Write what each term means, in your own words.
1
Quantitative data
2
Qualitative data
3
quantitative vs qualitative
4
interview
5
unbiased survey question
6
sensor data
7
census
8
demographic data
9
time-series data
10
AI-generated data
Answer Key
VCE Data Analysis · Modules 3–14 · Student wording will vary for definitions
1Quantitative data — Numerical data that can be counted (discrete, like number of students) or measured (continuous, like temperature) and used in calculations, such as ages, scores and temperatures.
2Qualitative data — Descriptive data such as opinions, comments and experiences, often from open-ended responses or interviews. It is not measured as numbers, and is sorted into categories and descriptions.
3quantitative vs qualitative — Quantitative data answers how many or how much questions with numbers; qualitative data explains why or how people feel. Using both gives a fuller picture.
4interview — A data collection method where you ask a person open questions about an issue and record their views, giving qualitative data. It is rich in detail but a small sample may not represent everyone.
5unbiased survey question — A survey question that is neutral, asks about one thing only, and gives answer choices that cover every honest response, so it does not push people toward a particular answer.
6sensor data — Measurements, such as heart rate or steps, that a device like a wearable records automatically at regular intervals. It is quantitative data and can reveal a person's health trends.
7census — A data collection that gathers information from every person or household in a population, not just a sample. The ABS runs the Australian census every five years.
8demographic data — Data describing characteristics of a population, such as age, location, income and education, so that different groups can be compared and analysed statistically.
9time-series data — Data recorded repeatedly over time, each value with a timestamp, usually at regular intervals, so you can see how values change and spot trends and seasonal patterns.
10AI-generated data — New data, such as text, images or predictions, created by an AI system. Its quality depends on the data the AI was trained on, so students must verify it before use.