Research methods - Data Analysis

Question 1

Data obtained from observations should be analysed carefully

Answer 1

• adequate data sampling
• language must be used accurately
• researcher bias must be avoided

Question 2

Data obtained from interviews should be analysed carefully

Answer 2

• context
• distinguish what is said and how they interpret it
• selection of data
• careful not to lead to bias interpretations

Question 3

Data obtained from questionnaires should be analysed carefully

Answer 3

• can give you both quantitative and qualitative data
• distinguish interpretations of the researcher from the statements of the participants, and to be unbiased
• clarify any ambiguities

Question 4

Qualitative data: strengths

Answer 4

• preserves the detail in the data
• creating hypotheses during the analysis allows for new insights to be developed
• some objectivity can be established by using triangulation

Question 5

Qualitative data: weaknesses

Answer 5

• which categories to use
• what to leave out of the summary

Question 6

Content analysis: strengths

Answer 6

• clear summary of the patterns in the data may be established
• once a coding system has been set up, replication is easy, improving reliability

Question 7

Content analysis: weaknesses

Answer 7

• often an individual’s judgement is used to define coding units, so they can be subjective
• reducing eh data to particular coding units removes detail, and the true meaning of things may be lost when taken out of context

Question 8

Quantifying data: strengths

Answer 8

• becomes easier to see patterns in the data, and easier to summarise and present it
• statistical analysis can be carried out

Question 9

Quantifying data: weaknesses

Answer 9

• care is needed to avoid bias in defining coding units, or deciding, which behaviours fit particular units
• qualitative data has more detail, which is lost when it’s converted into numbers

Question 10

Primary data

Answer 10

Information collected during a researcher’s direct observations of participants;
- test results
- answers to questionnaires
- observation notes

Question 11

Secondary data

Answer 11

Information collected from other studies.
This data can be used to check the validity of studies, or used to provide evidence to support or discredit a new theory.