Data Analysis: Kinds of Data Flashcards
What are four different types of data?
- Quantitative data
- Qualitative data
- Primary data
- Secondary data
What is quantitative data?
Numerical data e.e reaction time or number of mistakes
Strength of quantitative data:
- Easy to analyse therefore comparisons between groups can be easily drawn.
- Data in numerical form tends to be more objective and less open to bias.
Limitation of quantitative data:
- Oversimplifies behaviour = individuality lost
- Narrower scope thus may fail to represent real-life.
What is qualitative data?
Non-numerical data expressed in words e.g extract from a diary
Strength of qualitative data:
- More richness in detail than quantitative data.
- Greater external validity as participants have more license to develop their thoughts providing researcher with more meaningful insight into participants world view.
Limitation of qualitative data:
Not easy to analyse = difficult to get a conclusion
What is primary data?
‘First hand’ data collected for the purpose of the investigation
Strength of primary data:
Information is directly relevant to research aims
Limitations of primary data:
Time and effort
What is secondary data?
Collected by someone other than the person who is conducting the research
Example of secondary data:
Taken from journal article, books, website or government records
Strength of secondary data:
Inexpensive and usually easily assessed requiring minimal effort.
Limitations of secondary data:
- May be variation in the quality and accuracy of secondary data.
- Content of data might not quite match researcher’s needs or objectives.
What is a meta-analysis?
A type of secondary data that involves combining data from a large number of studies
