Data can be divided between quantitative data and qualitative data. The latter is non-numerical and would usually exist in the form of text. Positivists would normally steer clear of qualitative data on the basis that it is difficult to analyse in a systematic or reliable way, is likely to be subjective and is unscientific. However, qualitative data can include a great deal of detail and can explore motivations and emotions rather than just empirical descriptions and correlations. As such it is preferred by interpretivists as the sort of data that is likely to be more valid and can provide verstehen.