Quantitative Analysis (QA)

Quantitative analysis (QA) is a technique that seeks to understand behavior by using mathematical and statistical modeling, measurement, and research. Quantitative analysts aim to represent a given reality in terms of a numerical value.

Quantitative analysis is employed for several reasons, including measurement, performance evaluation or valuation of a financial instrument, and predicting real-world events, such as changes in a country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Quantitative analysis provides analysts with tools to examine and analyze past, current, and anticipated future events. Any subject involving numbers can be quantified; there are thus many fields in which quantitative analysis is used and is beneficial.

For example, quantitative analysis is used in analytical chemistry, financial analysis, social science, and organized sports. In the financial world, analysts who rely strictly on quantitative analysis are frequently referred to as "quants" or "quant jockeys."

[Important: Governments rely on quantitative analysis to make monetary and other economic policy decisions; governments and central banks commonly track and evaluate statistical data such as GDP and employment figures.]

In the financial services industry, QA is used to analyze investment opportunities, such as when to purchase or sell securities. Investors perform quantitative analysis when using key financial ratios, such as the price-earnings ratio (P/E) or earnings per share (EPS), in their investment decision-making process (e.g., whether to purchasing shares of a company's stock). Quantitative analysis ranges from the examination of simple statistical data (e.g., revenue) to complex calculations (e.g., discounted cash flow or option pricing).

While quantitative analysis serves as a useful evaluation tool, it is often combined with the complementary research and evaluation tool of qualitative analysis. It is common for a company to use quantitative analysis to evaluate figures such as sales revenue, profit margins, or return on assets (ROA).

However, to get a better picture of a company's performance, analysts also evaluate information that is not easily quantifiable or reduced to numeric values, such as reputation or employee morale. Qualitative analysis focuses on meanings, involves sensitivity to context rather than the desire to obtain universal generalizations, and has a goal of establishing rich descriptions rather than quantifiable metrics. Qualitative analysis seeks to answer the "why" and "how" of human behavior.

In a combined qualitative and quantitative analysis project, a company, analyst, or investor might wish to evaluate the strength of a product. Qualitative tools used for the project can include customer surveys and panel discussions. A quantitative analysis of the product can also be initiated through the examination of data regarding numbers of repeat customers, customer complaints, and the number of warranty claims over a given period.

Quantitative analysis is not the opposite of qualitative analysis; they are just different philosophies. Used together, they can provide useful information to make informed decisions that promote a better society, improve financial positions, and enhance business operations.

• Quantitative analysis (QA) is a technique that seeks to understand behavior by using mathematical and statistical modeling, measurement, and research.
• Quantitative analysts aim to represent a given reality in terms of a numerical value.
• Quantitative analysis is employed for several reasons, including measurement, performance evaluation or valuation of a financial instrument, and predicting real-world events, such as changes in a country's gross domestic product (GDP).