Final answer:
The Correct option is 2). J.C. Penney's uses quantitative data, which is numerical and can be measured or counted, to make marketing decisions, unlike qualitative data, which is descriptive.
Step-by-step explanation:
J.C. Penney's uses quantitative data such as inventory levels, sales figures, and product and marketing costs to make marketing decisions. Quantitative data is numerical in nature and can be measured or counted. It contrasts with qualitative data, which is descriptive and includes attributes, characteristics, or properties.
For instance, when a company like J.C. Penney's examines sales figures, they are looking at numbers that can be added up and analyzed statistically to understand patterns and trends. Inventory levels provide numerical information about stock on hand, and product and marketing costs involve numerical data related to budgeting and financial performance.
In research, data types like in-depth interviews, focus groups, and analysis of content sources are often associated with qualitative data, which is about understanding the underlying reasons and motivations. In contrast, if you're counting the number of times per week you do something, that's quantitative discrete data, or if it's the duration of time spent on an activity, it's quantitative continuous data.