quantitative

This term signals a focus on hard numbers, statistics, and measurable metrics. It carries a connotation of objectivity and precision, often associated with the hard sciences, accounting, or rigorous data analysis where the goal is to find a numerical value or a frequency. It stands in direct opposition to qualitative descriptions, which deal with subjective experiences, feelings, or descriptions. While a qualitative report might describe a patient as feeling much better, a quantitative report would record a 20 percent decrease in blood pressure.