Data

Question 1

Define quantitive data

Answer 1

Data that is expressed numerically. Type of data that can be gained from individual scores in experiments such as number of words recalled or time taken in seconds to complete a task or from closed questions in self report methods.

Question 2

What is the strength of quantitive data?

Answer 2

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 more difficult to statistically summarise therefore comparisons are harder to identify.

Question 3

What is the weakness of quantitive data?

Answer 3

It lacks depth and meaning to behaviour especially when it’s complex as it prevents participants being able to develops their thoughts, opinions and feeling on a given subject/ It may lack vital detail which reduces the internal validity of the data. Whereas qualitative data is rich in detail and provide a greater understanding of human behaviour.

Question 4

Define qualitative data.

Answer 4

Data that is expressed in words. May take the form of the thoughts, opinions and feeling of participants such as notes recorded from an interview, a diary entry or answers from open questions in a questionnaire.

Question 5

What is the strength of qualitative data?

Answer 5

It provides rich detail and depth which allows participants to develop their thoughts, opinions and feelings on a given subject. This provides a greater understanding of the behaviour being studied. Whereas quantitive data lacks depth and meaning as the data is numerical.

Question 6

What is the weakness of qualitative data?

Answer 6

It is harder to analyse as it’s difficult to summarise statistically to establish patterns and trends. This opens the data up to researcher bias as the analysis is based on their own subjective interpretations. Whereas quantitive data can be analysed statistically to provide patterns and trends which make it easier to make objective conclusions about behaviour.

Question 7

What are the three types of quantitive data?

Answer 7

Nominal, ordinal and interval

Question 8

Nominal data:
- What is it?
- Example?

Answer 8

• Categories
• Hair colour, male and female

Question 9

Ordinal data:
- What is it?
- Example?

Answer 9

• Date that is ordered and ranked. Does not have intervals. Bases on subjective opinions.
• 1st, 2nd, 3rd or scale of 1-10

Question 10

Interval data:
- What is it?
- Example?

Answer 10

• standardised measurement. Objective measurements. Numerical scales that include units of equal, precisely defined size
• Time in seconds, height in cm

Question 11

Define primary data

Answer 11

It is gathered first hand from participants and specific to the aim os the study.

Question 12

What is the strength of primary data?

Answer 12

Primary data is collected first hand and specifically for the aim of the study. This allows the researcher to specifically target the information on a way they require to organised and experiment in a was that suits their aim. This increases the internal validity. Whereas secondary data might not meet the direct needs of the researcher so it may be less useful.

Question 13

What is the weakness of primary data?

Answer 13

Primary data is conducted by the researcher themselves which involves time and effort to obtain the data as well as analysing the findings. Whereas secondary data is easily accessed and requires minimal effort to obtain reducing the time and cost taken to complete the research.

Question 14

What type of data is a meta-analysis?

Answer 14

Secondary

Question 15

Define meta-analysis

Answer 15

It’s a form of research method that uses secondary data as it gains data from a large number of studies which have investigated the same research questions and method of research . It combines the information from the study to make conclusions about behaviour.

Question 16

What is the strength of meta analysis?

Answer 16

It gathers data from a number of studies which allows us to view data with more confidence and increase the generalisability of the data across larger populations.

Question 17

What is the weakness of meta analysis?

Answer 17

It is prone to publication bias as the researcher may not have selected relevant studies choosing to leave out studies with negative or nonsignificant results. Therefore it is biased as it only represents some of the relevant data and incorrect conclusions are drawn.

Question 18

What are the two ways to analyse qualitative data?

Answer 18

1) Content analysis
2) Thematic analysis

Question 19

What is content analysis? (2)

Answer 19

Changing large amounts of qualitative data into quantitive data by identifying meaningful codes that can be counted enabling us to present data in a graph.

Question 20

Why is it appropriate to use content analysis?

Answer 20

Converted to quantitive data so it makes it easier to replicate with other researchers increasing internal validity.

Question 21

How is content analysis carried out? (4)

Answer 21

1) Read transcript
2) Identify coding (2-3)
3) Re-read data and tally each time a code appears
4) Present the data in a graph

Question 22

What is thematic analysis? (2)

Answer 22

Analysing qualitative data by identifying emerging themes enabling us to present data in a qualitative format e.g. interview recordings, texts, diary entries