In research and data analysis, which of the following is the best example of quantitative data, meaning data expressed as numerical values that can be measured or counted?

Introduction / Context:
In statistics and research methods, data is often classified as either quantitative or qualitative. Quantitative data consists of numbers that represent counts or measurements, while qualitative data describes categories, labels, or qualities. Recognising this difference is essential for choosing the correct statistical techniques and for interpreting research results. This question asks you to identify which example represents quantitative data from among several everyday observations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Quantitative data is numerical and can be measured or counted.
• Qualitative data is categorical and describes qualities or types.
• The options list number of students, colours of cars, types of fruits, and brands of mobile phones.
• We assume typical school-level definitions of quantitative and qualitative data.

Concept / Approach:
Quantitative data answers questions like “how many,” “how much,” or “what is the measurement?” For example, the number of students in a class, the height of individuals, or the weight of packages are all quantitative. Qualitative data, on the other hand, answers questions like “what kind” or “which category,” such as hair colour, fruit type, or brand name. In this question, only one option clearly provides a numerical count; the others describe categories. Therefore, the number of students in a class is the best example of quantitative data.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Review the definition of quantitative data: numerical values that can be counted or measured. Step 2: Look at option A: “The number of students enrolled in a particular class this year.” This is clearly a count and thus numerical. Step 3: Examine option B: “The colours of cars parked in the school parking lot.” This describes categories such as red, blue, white, which are qualitative. Step 4: Consider option C: “The types of fruits displayed at a local market,” which describes categories like apples, bananas, oranges, another example of qualitative data. Step 5: Evaluate option D: “The different brands of mobile phones used by students,” which again lists categories (brand names) and is qualitative. Step 6: Conclude that option A is the only example of quantitative data.

Verification / Alternative check:
Statistics textbooks and basic research guides provide many examples to distinguish quantitative from qualitative data. They often list counts like number of students, number of cars, or measured values like temperature and height as quantitative. They list categories such as eye colour, blood type, or car brand as qualitative. Applying this pattern, the number of students in a class fits perfectly into the quantitative category, while colours, fruit types, and brands are classic qualitative examples. This consistency supports choosing option A as the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The colours of cars parked in the school parking lot represent qualitative data, where each car is classified by a colour category, not a numerical measurement.
The types of fruits displayed at a local market describe categories of fruits, such as apples or bananas, and are thus qualitative, not numerical.
The different brands of mobile phones used by students list categorical information (brand names) rather than counts or measurements, so this is also qualitative data.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse “quantity” with “many kinds” and assume that having many types of something makes it quantitative. In reality, what matters is whether the data is recorded as numbers or as category labels. Another pitfall is to think that anything that can be counted automatically makes the categories quantitative, but it is the actual recorded value (number vs category name) that defines the data type. A helpful rule is to ask: “If I write down this data in a spreadsheet, will I enter numbers or words?” If it is numbers like 30, 25, 40, then it is quantitative; if it is words like red, blue, Apple, Samsung, then it is qualitative.

Final Answer:
The best example of quantitative data is The number of students enrolled in a particular class this year.