Measurements

What are Measurements?

Measurements are observations made during an experiments. These observations can be described using words (qualitative) or numbers (quantitative). Quantitative measurements usually include units as a reference (click here for more information about units). Measurements are one way of recording information from an experiment that can be analyzed and shared with others. Generally, quantitative measurements are preferred because they tend to convey more information and are usually objective. In contrast, qualitative measurements tend to convey less information and can sometimes be subjective.

Qualitative Measurements

• Observations that describe a substance, mixture, reaction, or other process in words

Quantitative Measurements

• Observations that describe a property with numbers and usually units

Examples

• Comparing gold and silver

  • Qualitative: Gold is more expensive than silver

  • Quantitative: The price is $1300. for the gold and $20.0 for the silver

• Comparing temperature ranges

  • •Qualitative: The San Francisco Bay Area has a more moderate temperature than Chicago.

  • •Quantitative: The temperature range in the San Francisco Bay Area is 2 °C to 37 °C while the temperature in Chicago is –15 °C to 40 °C.