Research Methods - Key Terms Flashcards
What is a primary source of data?
Primary data is research that has been collected by sociologists themselves for their own purpose.
E.g experiments, interviews, questionnaires and observations.
Advantages - sociologist has complete control over their investigation
Disadvantage- sociologists that carry out own research may be time consuming and costly.
What is a secondary source of data?
Secondary data is data that already exists with a different purpose in mind of those the sociological researcher is trying to find. Existing data may then be re-analysed and re-interpreted by sociologists for their own objectives. E.g official statistics (e.g government statistics) and documents (newspapers, articles etc.)
Advantage - sociologists using secondary data is a lot cheaper and less time-consuming.
Disadvantages - sociologists may mind some of the information is unsuitable for what they are trying to find out as secondary data is used for different purposes.
What is quantitive data?
Information collected in numerical form. In numbers, often in statistics (e.g, percentages, averages, tally scores etc). Research methods that collect quantitative data are referred to as quantitative research methods.
Primary sources - experiments, structured interviews, closed questionnaires etc.
Secondary sources - official statistics
What is quantitative data?
Information that is collected in written words (and/or audio and video) rather than in numbers. Research methods that collect quantitative data are referred to as qualitative research methods.
Primary sources - unstructured interviews, open questionnaires etc.
Secondary sources - diaries, letters, newspapers etc.
