← VCE Data Analytics U3O2

Suitability of qualitative and quantitative data for visualisation

Quantitative data can be charted directly as numbers. Qualitative data (text) must first be coded or summarised into counts or categories before it can be charted.

Part of: VCE Data Analytics - U3O2 - Analysis and Design — Module 61

Understanding Suitability of qualitative and quantitative data for visualisation in VCE Data Analytics U3O2

What it does: COUNTIF counts how many responses were coded as Positive, turning text into a count that can be shown in a chart. Numbers are already chartable, and a function like AVERAGE summarises them into one value to plot. Quantitative data such as dollar amounts is already numeric, so it can be plotted straight onto a chart. Qualitative text has no numeric value to plot. It must be coded (e.g. 'Speed') and then counted before it can be charted. Scatter graphs need numeric values on both axes. Free-text comments would need coding first. Numeric values like ratings can be charted directly because they are already measurable quantities.

Common mistakes: Raw text comments cannot be charted. They must be coded into themes and counted first. It should be DRAW bar chart OF counts. Quantitative data such as scores is already numeric, so it needs no coding. It can be charted directly: DRAW column graph OF scores.

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 32–75) and word search (Modules 3–146).

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Learning
Duo
A column of daily sales totals in dollars. Can it be charted directly as a column graph?
No, it must be coded into categories firstYes, it is quantitative so the numbers can be charted directly
Matches
Column chart of the raw comments: "Too slow", "Loved it", "Confusing"
↓
Raw text comments cannot be plotted as values. They must first be coded into themes and counted.
Applying
Meanings
Term
Suitability for visualisation
Meaning
Quantitative data can be charted directly as numbers. Qualitative data (text) must first be coded or summarised into counts or categories before it can be charted.
Practice
=COUNTIF(B2:B9,"Tech")
Testing
Gaps
=(B2:B30,"Satisfied")
Check Answer
Spots
3counts ← COUNT(themes)
4DRAW bar chart OF answers

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Quick Questions

1. A column of daily sales totals in dollars. Can it be charted directly as a column graph?
A. Yes, it is quantitative so the numbers can be charted directly ✓
B. No, it must be coded into categories first
Quantitative data such as dollar amounts is already numeric, so it can be plotted straight onto a chart.
2. Open-ended survey answers such as 'The app is too slow'. What must happen before they can be visualised?
A. Code or summarise them into categories and counts ✓
B. Plot each sentence directly on a bar chart
Qualitative text has no numeric value to plot. It must be coded (e.g. 'Speed') and then counted before it can be charted.
3. Which data is better suited to a scatter graph without any preparation?
A. Free-text comments about a teacher
B. Hours studied and test scores (two numeric columns) ✓
Scatter graphs need numeric values on both axes. Free-text comments would need coding first.
4. A survey asks 'What do you like most about the school canteen?' and collects typed answers. How can you turn them into a chart?
A. Chart the answers as they are, since text can be plotted
B. Group answers into codes like 'Price' or 'Variety', then count each code ✓
Coding turns qualitative responses into categories, and counting each category creates quantitative data for a chart.
5. Which statement is correct about visualising data?
A. Qualitative data becomes chartable once it is converted to counts ✓
B. Quantitative data must always be coded before charting
Counts of coded responses are numeric. Quantitative data is already numeric so it needs no coding.

Match the Pairs

Ratings: 4, 7, 9, 6, 8 → Quantitative data: numbers that can be plotted straight onto a column or line chart without any changes
Comments: "Too slow", "Loved it", "Confusing" → Qualitative data: text that must be coded or summarised into categories and counts before it can be charted
Qualitative responses are coded into categories and then counted so they become quantitative data that can be charted → =COUNTIF(C2:C50,"Positive")
Quantitative data can be charted directly, so you can choose to summarise it with a function such as an average → =AVERAGE(B2:B50)
Column chart of the raw comments: "Too slow", "Loved it", "Confusing" → Raw text comments cannot be plotted as values. They must first be coded into themes and counted.
Coding the ages 14, 15, 16 as text labels before graphing them → Quantitative data like ages is already numeric and can be charted directly. Coding it is unnecessary and loses detail.

Key Term

Suitability for visualisation
Quantitative data can be charted directly as numbers. Qualitative data (text) must first be coded or summarised into counts or categories before it can be charted.

Fill in the Blanks

1. =COUNTIF(B2:B30,"Satisfied")
Hint: Type the function that counts how many text responses match a category, turning qualitative data into a number.
2. SELECT house, COUNT(*) FROM students GROUP BY house;
Hint: Type the aggregate function that counts the rows in each category so the text can be charted.
3. =IF(B2="Agree",1,0)
Hint: Type the number used to code an Agree response so the text becomes chartable data.
4. SELECT house, COUNT(*) FROM students GROUP BY house;
Hint: Type the two-word clause that sorts rows into categories before they are counted.
5. =AVERAGE(C2:C30)
Hint: Type the function that finds the mean of a column of numbers, which is quantitative data that can be charted directly.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A answers ← comments column
B themes ← CODE(answers)
C counts ← COUNT(themes)
D DRAW bar chart OF answers
Line D — Raw text comments cannot be charted. They must be coded into themes and counted first. It should be DRAW bar chart OF counts.
Question 2
A scores ← [88, 74, 95, 52]
B type ← NUMBERS
C CODE scores, then DRAW graph
Line C — Quantitative data such as scores is already numeric, so it needs no coding. It can be charted directly: DRAW column graph OF scores.
Question 3
A A2:A9 ← coded themes
B D2 ← 'Praise'
C D3 ← 'Bug'
D E2 ← SUM(A2:A9)
Line D — SUM cannot add text codes. COUNTIF counts how often each coded theme appears, which turns the text into numbers that can be charted.
Question 4
A prices ← ['low','mid','high']
B DRAW bar chart OF prices
C // numbers need no coding
Line A — The program treats prices as numbers that chart directly. Text labels like 'low' would need coding first. Line 1 should hold numeric values.
Question 5
A ratings ← column B (1 to 5)
B comments ← column C (text)
C result ← AVERAGE(comments)
D DRAW column graph OF result
Line C — You cannot average text comments. Choose the numeric ratings to manipulate for the chart: AVERAGE(ratings).

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