Qualitative means relating to the nature or standard of something, rather than to its quantity.
[formal]
There are qualitative differences in the way children and adults think.
That's the whole difference between quantitative and qualitative research.
qualitativelyadverb [ADVERB adjective, ADVERB with verb]
The new media are unlikely to prove qualitatively different from the old.
qualitative in British English
(ˈkwɒlɪtətɪv, -ˌteɪ-)
adjective
involving or relating to distinctions based on quality or qualities
Compare quantitative
Derived forms
qualitatively (ˈqualitatively)
adverb
qualitative in American English
(ˈkwɔləˌteɪtɪv; ˈkwɑləˌteɪtɪv)
adjective
having to do with quality or qualities
Derived forms
qualitatively (ˈqualiˌtatively)
adverb
Word origin
LL qualitativus
Examples of 'qualitative' in a sentence
qualitative
The minor and technical test should be both quantitative and qualitative.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
They will emphasise the qualitative difference in taste between the organic and processed options.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The variables used in qualitative research are likely to be nominal.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
The experiment yields both quantitative and qualitative observations.
Porush, David A Short Guide to Writing About Science (1995)
The facts this qualitative research may unearth can be worth their weight in gold.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The concept of cultural imperialism is dependent on qualitative and quantitative judgements.
Collins, Richard Television - policy and culture (1990)
Much important sociological research has been conducted with such qualitative concepts.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
Coach education is the major focus and that comes in both qualitative and quantitative terms.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
But such polls are quantitative rather than qualitative.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But there is somewhat more to the notion of evolution than is implied by the idea of qualitative change.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
But a lifetime of qualitative research on my part has shown this to be far from universally the case.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
There will be other qualitative changes.
Aganbegyan, Abel Inside Perestroika: The Future of the Soviet Economy (1990)
There is an important qualitative difference between the work of composers such as these and composers who "arrange" folk melodies.
Stewart, R J Music and the Elemental Psyche: A Practical Guide to Music and Changing Consciousness (1987)
What's the qualitative difference between naked and faked?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
So although the process may be gradual, there still appears to be genuine qualitative change.
Bee, Helen The Developing Child (7th edn.) (1995)
There is no qualitative difference between white-collar crime and any other sort of crime.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Of course, qualitative changes are themselves the results of a series of prior quantitative changes.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
What distinguished the programming of the new corporation from that of the old company was a qualitative and quantitative change in its news broadcasts.
Collins, Richard Television - policy and culture (1990)
A qualitative difference stands between the ministry and any other job.
Christianity Today (2000)
In qualitative research, it is often hard to determine whether or not the results are both valid and reliable.
Appelbaum, Richard P. Sociology (1995)
In other languages
qualitative
British English: qualitative ADJECTIVE
Qualitative means relating to the nature or standard of something, rather than to its quantity.
There are qualitative differences in the way children and adults think.