text: **7.3 Qualitative data and research**
  **Quantitative data gain importance by a comprehensive description of the reasons behind these**
  **data**and their development,**by interpretation and analysis**. Such analytical explanations are 
  elaborated by (roughly categorised): the providers of the quantitative data themselves, in addition by 
  scientists at universities and governmental institutions, by European, national or regional governmental 
  organisations, by business federations and trade unions, by professional associations and by 
  international organisations. 
  
  This analytical work covers a large variety of topics like detailed studies and reports on**risks, exposures**
  **and outcomes**, on the development and application of**effective technical and organisational**
  **preventive measures**, on preventive**OSH systems and infrastructures**, for example, evaluations and 
  assessments of the level of implementation of OSH directives, and finally on the**societal, economic**
  **and legal frame and context**of OSH. 
  
  There is**no strict separation between the following four types for research categories**. For 
  example, the EU-OSHA study ‘Analysis of the determinants of workplace occupational safety and health 
  practice in a selection of EU Member States’ 469 includes an analysis of the systems and infrastructures 
  as well as of the framework and context influence. To fully cover understanding and support of OSH 
  prevention in workplaces, all these types of research are needed. 