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DAPTER
1
TYPES OF DATA: QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE
Data Analysis Practice
Biology in the 21st Century
CHAPTER 1
Two different types of data can be collected during scientific investigations: qualitative
data and quantitative data.
The following data were collected by scientists studying the feeding habits of the
purple-throated carib hummingbird, Eulampis jugularis. This hummingbird is found on
several Caribbean islands including Dominica and St. Lucia. It feeds on both ndotar and
insects. In this study, scientists observed the birds in two different locations on the island
of Dominica. One area was a landscaped garden with red ginger and several species of
Heiconia. The other was a forested area dominated by Heliconia (spp.). A summary of
the data collected is listed below.
• The males of the species are larger than the females.
• The males' bills are shorter and less curved than those of the female
• The hummingbirds in the landscaped garden spent 21% of the time feeding. Of that
time, 20% was spent feeding on insects and 80% was spent feeding on nectar.
• The males get nectar from a species of Heliconia in which the flowers have shorter
and less curved petals.
• The females get nectar from a species of Heliconia in which the flowers have longer
and more curved petals.
• The hummingbirds in the forested area spent 23% of the time feeding. Of that time,
92% was spent feeding on insects and 8% was spent feeding on nectar.
1. Identify which are the quantitative data in the example above? Explain.
ghton Min Company
2. Identify which are the qualitative data in the example above? Explain.