What is qualitative observation?

• A. A study of weather patterns.
• B. An observation that deals with characteristics that cannot be expressed in numbers.
• C. An observation that deals with a number or amount.
• D. A well-tested concept that explains a wide range of observations.

Answer: (B)

Qualitative observation focuses on non-numeric characteristics. It describes qualities like color, texture, shape, odor, or behavior using words rather than numbers. For example, noting that a leaf is green and rough describes qualitative data. This stands in contrast to quantitative observation, which records measurements or counts such as length, weight, or temperature. A theory, not an observation, explains a wide range of phenomena. So the idea captured here is that qualitative observation deals with characteristics that cannot be expressed in numbers.