Nursing Resources: Qualitative vs Quantitative. Quantitative research, also called empirical research, refers to any research based on something that can be accurately and precisely measured.
Noun. 1. index-a numerical scale used to compare variables with one another or with some reference number. margin of error, margin of safety, safety margin-the margin required in order to insure safety; in engineering the margin of safety is the strength of the material minus the anticipated stress.
index fossil n. The fossil remains of an organism that lived in a particular geologic age, used to identify or date the rock or rock layer in which it is found.