What is quantitative data?

• A. Information about quantities and numbers
• B. Descriptive information
• C. Images
• D. Color information

Answer: (A)

Quantitative data means information that is measured and expressed with numbers, allowing exact comparisons and mathematical analysis. In OCT, this includes measurements like tissue thickness in micrometers, pixel intensities or reflectivity values, and calculated metrics such as area or volume of a feature. These numeric values can be analyzed statistically, tracked over time, or used in diagnostic thresholds. Descriptive or qualitative information describes features without numbers, such as labeling something as bright or dark, or describing a region’s appearance. Images themselves are visual representations; they convey information, but quantitative insight comes from numeric values derived from or associated with those images. Color information can be qualitative unless it’s quantified with numeric color metrics. Therefore, information about quantities and numbers best captures what quantitative data is.