data

Question 1

What is meant by quantitative data? (2m)

Answer 1

• data that is expressed numerically
• gained from individual scores in experiments such as n.o. words recalled
• gained from self report methods and use of closed questions
• data analysed statistically
• easily convert into graphs, charts

Question 2

Strength of quantitative data - AO3

Answer 2

. more simple to analyse
. allows comparisons be drawn between groups of data
. patterns and trends established
. easier to make conclusions about behaviour (CONTEXT)
. WHEREAS qualitative data
. is wordy
. more difficult to statistically summarise
. so comparisons within data harder to identify

Question 3

Limitation of quantitative data - AO3

Answer 3

. lacks depth and meaning to behaviour when complex
. prevents ppts develop on their thoughts, feelings, opinions on given subject (CONTEXT)
. lacks vital detail
. reduces internal validity of data
. WHEREAS qualitative data
. rich in detail
. provide greater understanding human behaviour

Question 4

What is meant by qualitative data? (2m)

Answer 4

. data that is expressed in words
. descriptive data
. written description of thoughts, feelings and opinions of ppts
. e.g. notes from interview or open Q’s in questionnaire
. concerned with interpretation of language

Question 5

Strength of qualitative data - AO3

Answer 5

. provides rich detail and depth
. allows ppts develop on their thoughts and feelings on given subject
. provides greater understanding of behaviour being studied (CONTEXT)
. WHEREAS quantitative data
. lacks depth and meaning
. only numerical

Question 6

Limitation of qualitative data - AO3

Answer 6

. harder to analyse
. difficult to summarise statistically
. to establish patterns and trends
. opens data to potential researcher bias
. analysis is based on their own subjective interpretations of data (CONTEXT)
. WHEREAS quantitative data
. analysed statistically
. provide patterns and trends
. easier to make objective conclusion about behaviour

Question 7

Discrete data

Answer 7

. information/findings can be categorised into groups
. data only appears in one category
. cannot be subdivided

Question 8

Continuous data

Answer 8

. data can be measured using scientific tools
. can be subdivided

Question 9

Nominal level data

Answer 9

. discrete data
. data in form of categories
. e.g. tall or short

Question 10

Ordinal level data

Answer 10

. discrete data
. data is ordered/ranked
. not have equal/fixed intervals between each unit
. based on subjective opinion
. e.g. 1st tallest, 2nd tallest, 3rd etc

Question 11

Interval level data

Answer 11

. continuous data
. data is a standardised/universal measurement
. based on objective/factual measures
. based on numerical scale
. units of equal, precisely defined size
. e.g. feet/inches

Question 12

What is meant by primary data? (2m)

Answer 12

. gathered directly/first-hand from ppt
. specific to the aim of the study
e.g. experiment, questionnaire, observation

Question 13

Strength of primary data - AO3

Answer 13

. collected first hand fro ppt
. specifically for aim of research
. allows researcher to specifically target the information they require
. and organise and experiment in way suits them and their aim (CONTEXT)
. increases overall internal validity
. WHEREAS secondary data
. not meet direct needs of research
. less useful

Question 14

Limitation of primary data - AO3

Answer 14

. conducted by researcher
. involves time and effort
. to obtain data and analyse findings (CONTEXT)
. WHEREAS secondary data
. easily accessed
. requires minimal effort to obtain
. reducing time and cost to complete research

Question 15

What is meant by secondary data? (2m)

Answer 15

. previously been collected by third party
. not specifically for aim of the study
. used by the researcher
e.g. records of government statistics

Question 16

Strength of secondary data - AO3

Answer 16

. easily accessed
. requires minimal effort to obtain
. might find information they want to collect already exists (CONTEXT)
. no need to collect primary data
. WHEREAS primary data
. conducted by researcher
. requires time and effort
. to obtain data and analyse findings

Question 17

Limitation of secondary data - AO3

Answer 17

. may be poor quality or have inaccuracies
. appear to be valuable at first
. but could be outdated or incomplete
. not meet direct needs of research (CONTEXT)
. WHEREAS primary data
. collected first hand from ppt
. specifically for the aim of research
. increases overall internal validity

Question 18

What is meta-analysis? (2m)

Answer 18

. used secondary data
. gains data from large number of studies
. which investigated same research questions and methods of research
. combines information from all studies
. to make conclusions about behaviour
e.g. Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg - strange situation

Question 19

Strength of meta-analysis - AO3

Answer 19

. data gather from number of studies
. can view data with much more confidence
. increases generalisability of findings
. across larger population

Question 20

Limitation of meta-analysis - AO3

Answer 20

. prone to publication bias
. researcher may not select all relevant studies
. leave out studies with negative/non-sig results
. so data will be biased
. only represents some of relevant data
. incorrect conclusions drawn