Data Flashcards
What is quantitive data?
Data that is expressed numerically. Data can be gained from individual scores in an experiment such as number of words recalled or number of seconds it takes to compete a task or from self report methods and the use of closed questions.
Strength of quantitive data
More simple to analyse which allows comparisons to be drawn between groups of data and patterns and trends can be established. May be easier to make conclusions about behaviour. Whereas qualitative data is wordy and harder to statistically summarise and therefore comparisons with data are harder to identify.
Weakness of quantitive data
Lacks depth and meaning to behaviour especially when its complex as it prevents participants from being able to develop their thoughts, feelings and opinions on a given subject. Therefore qualitative data may lack vital detail which reduces internal validity whereas qualitative data is rich in detail and can provide a greater understanding of human behaviour.
Definition for qualitative data
Qualitative data is expressed in words and may take the form of a written description of the thoughts, feelings and opinions of participants from notes recorded in an interview, diary entry or answers from open questions in a questionnaire.
Definition of primary data
Gathered first hand from the participants themselves and is specific to the aim of the study.
Definition of secondary data
Previously collected by a third party but not specifically for the aim of the study and then used by the researcher.
What is content analysis?
the process of analysing qualitative data by turning large amount of qualitative date into quantitative data. This is done by creating meaningful codes that can be counted enabling us to put information in a graph
Why is it appropriate to use content analysis?
Qualitative data is being turned into quantitive data so it makes it easier to replicates with other researchers increasing the internal validity
How do you do content analysis?
1) Watch video
2) Create codes
3) Rewatch video and tally every time code is mentioned
4) Present quantitive datate in a graph
What is thematic analysis
A way of analysing qualitative date by identifying emergent themes enabling us to present information in a qualitative format e.g. diary entry, newspapers, interview recording etc.
How is thematic analysis carried out
1) Create transcript
2) Re-read transcripts
3) Identify codes that have cropped up repeatedly
4) Combine codes to reduce codes into 3 or 4 themes that link
Strength for analysis
Its easy to assess the reliability of the findings and conclusions because other researchers can access the materials and use the coding system to ensure finding are consistent (inter rater reliability)
Weakness for analysis
Potential researcher bias as the content that confirms the researchers hypothesis is more likely to be identified and recorded compared to content that contradicts the researchers aims. This lowers the internal validity.
