Descriptive Data Flashcards
What is quantitative data
Information in numerical form
What are the strengths of quantitative data
-allows for easy comparison between groups.
-often use objective measures which cannot be misinterpreted
Hat are the weaknesses of quantitative data
- methods of measurement may limit participants responses from being detailed, therefore making data less valid and less useful as we don’t know why
What is qualitative data
Information in non-numerical form
What is the strength of qualitative data
- better detailed responses as participants express themselves freely and you can understand why
What is weakness of qualitative data
-subjective measure
-harder to compare as each participant gives individual measures
What is primary data
The results are coming straight from the source
What is secondary data
They have not collected the results themselves
What is the strength of primary data
The researcher can ensure that data is collected properly and can have more faith in the validity
What is the weaknesses of primary data
You need to plan a suitable and ethical procedure which would take time
What is the strength of secondary data
The data already exists so it saves time and is quick and easy to access
What is the weakness in secondary data
The quality of the data is subject to any weaknesses present in the original design. Therefore the validity could be questionable.
What is nominal data
Simple data which has two or more categories that are the dv not the IV. Only total scores are given not individual participant scores.
What is ordinal data
You have the data for each individual hand these result can be placed in rank order. However scientific units aren’t given
What is interval data
Results are made up of numbers that come from a scientific scale. The numbers can also go into negatives. Example = temperature
What is ratio data
Results are made up of numbers that come from a scientific scale. Ratio data has an absolute zero so can’t go in to negatives. Example = time
What is a strength of nominal data
Easy to analyse
What is a weakness of nominal data
Doesn’t allow for comparison between individuals as there is no individual scores
What is the strength of ordinal data
Allows for some comparison and the data can be simplified into nominal data
What is the weakness of ordinal data
Doesn’t always allow you to see the difference between participants and there are no scientific units
What is the strength of interval and ratio data
Universally accepted units allows for detailed comparison between participants.
The data can be simplified into both ordinal and nominal data
What is the weakness of interval and ratio dat
No weakness
What are the steps to calculate the standard deviation and what is the equation
- Add up the NUMBER of scores give
- Calculate the mean
- Calculate the difference between the mean and each individual score
- Square the difference
- Find sum of squares
- Divide sum of squares by the number of score given =variance
- Square root the variance
What is the mean and what type of data is it suitable for
You add up all the score and divide by number of scores. Suitable for interval, ratio or ordinal
What is median and what type of data is it suitable for
It’s the middle value when the data is placed in order. Most suitable for ordinal but can also be used for ratio/interval.
What is the advantage of mean
Use all of the raw data
What is the weakness of mean
Is affected by extreme score so may be misleading
what is the strength of median
Not affected by extreme scores
What is the weakness of median
Can be distorted by small samples
What is mode and what is it suitable for
The value that appears the most. Is suitable for nominal data
What is a strength of mode
Not influenced by extreme scores and shows the most popular result
What is the weakness of mode
Doesn’t use all of the data
What is variance and what is it suitable for
Considers the difference between each data point and the mean
What is the strength of variance
Takes every score into account so isn’t as effected by outliners as range is
What is the weakness of variance
It’s harder to calculate than range and isn’t in line with the ordinal data set
What is standard deviation
It’s the spread of data around the mean
What is the strength of standard deviation
All data is used so isn’t as effected by outliers as range is
What is a weakness of standard deviation
It requires a more complex calculation compared to range
What is range and what is it suitable for
Calculated by finding the difference between highest and lowest score . Suitable for interval/ratio and ordinal
What is the weakness of range
It can be influenced by outlining scores so may be misleading and tells us nothing about the distribution of the other scores
What is the strength of the range
Easy to calculate
What are the steps for collecting recording and presenting quantitative data
- Data is initially recorder in a raw data table
- The raw data is then summarised into a summary table using totals and appropriate central tendencies.
- Summarised data can then be placed onto an appropriately labelled graph
When would you use a bar chart
When the data is given in separate categories
WHen would you use a pie chart
The data must consist of frequencies or portions that can Be expressed as a fraction
When would you use a histogram
It is used to shown the pattern in a whole data set where there is continuous end data. It can be used on an ordinal or interval scale
When would you use a scatter graph
Used to show the finding of a correlation study
When would you use a line graph
It’s an alternative way to represent the data shown in a histogram so can be used on an ordinal or interval scale.
