Essential Knowledge

Question 0

What are the strengths of quantitative data?

Answer 0

Quantitative data is easy to analyse statistically, meaning psychologists can save both time and money. Methods that gather quantitative data are usually easy to repeat and so are reliable. They are associated with scientific approach.

Question 1

What is quantitative research?

Answer 1

Quantitative research gathers data in numerical form which can be put into categories, rank order or measured in units of measurements.

Question 2

What are the weaknesses of quantitative data?

Answer 2

Quantitative data is criticised for nat having an in depth description of human behaviour. Doesn’t tell us WHY people think/behave the way they do. Can lead to a simplistic view of behaviour.

Question 3

What is qualitative data?

Answer 3

Qualitative data is information in word form, e.g, diary accounts, open-ended questionnaires, unstructured interviews.

Question 4

What are the strengths of qualitative data?

Answer 4

It provides descriptive data and in depth information. Leads to a higher understanding of people compared to quantitative data

Question 5

What are the weaknesses of qualitative data? (5 answers)

Answer 5

Time consuming. Difficult to repeat. Difficult to analyse. May be costly. High chances of bias.

Question 6

What is a non-participant observation?

Answer 6

A type of observational study whereby the researcher does not join in with the activity being observed.

Question 7

What is a participant observation?

Answer 7

A type of observational study where the observer is also a participant in the observation being studied. Can be useful because it provides more insights about behaviour but does have a problem that the observer may lose some objectivity