If we are collecting data, the population refers to all data for the phenomena that is being studied, while the sample refers to a subset of that data. Quantitative data are measurements and numeric q...If we are collecting data, the population refers to all data for the phenomena that is being studied, while the sample refers to a subset of that data. Quantitative data are measurements and numeric quantities that can be determined from the data. When describing categorical data, we are limited to observing counts in each group and comparing the differences in percentages. Discrete data are values that are counted, or answers to the question "How many?"