Research methods: statistics Flashcards
quantitative data meaning
-data that is expressed numerically
-can be gained from individual scores such as the number of words recalled
strength of quantitative data
-quantitative data is more simple to analyse
-allows comparisons to be made been groups of data
-may be easier to make conclusions about behaviour (context)
WHEREAS
-qualitative data is wordy and more difficult to statistically summarise and therefore comparisons are hard to identify
weakness of qualitative data
-quantitative data lacks depth and meaning to behaviour
-especially when it is complex and prevents participants from being able to develop their thoughts on a given subject (context)
-therefore quantitative data may lack vital detail which reduces the internal validity of the data
WHEREAS
qualitative data is rich in detail which can provide a greater understanding of behaviour
qualitative data meaning
-data expressed in words
-may take form of a transcript of an interview or a diary entry
strength of qualitative data
-qualitative data provides rich details which allows ppts to develop their thoughts and feelings on a given subject
-this provides a greater understanding of the behaviour being studies (context)
WHEREAS
-quantitative data lacks depth and meaning as the data is only numerical
weakness of qualitative data
-harder to analyse as it is difficult to summarise to establish pattern trends
-this opens the data up to potential researcher bias as the analysis is based upon their own subjective interpretations of the data (context)
WHEREAS
-quantitative data can be analysed to provide patterns which may make it easier to make objective conclusions about behaviour
types of level of measurements
nominal
ordinal
interval
nominal data info
discrete data
data in categories
eg. hair colour
ordinal data info
discrete data
ordinal data is ranked
ordinal data does not have fixed intervals
based on subjective opinions
interval data info
data is continuous data
data is based on objective measures
based on numerical scale that have equal intervals
primary data definition
gathered first hand from the ppts
specific to the aim of the study
strength of primary data
- primary data is collected first hand from the ppts
-allows researcher to specifically target the info they require and organise an experiment in a way that suits them
strength of primary data
- primary data is collected first hand from the ppts
-allows researcher to specifically target the info they require and organise an experiment in a way that suits them (context)
-this increases the overall internal validity of the data
WHEREAS
secondary data might not meet the direct needs of the researcher suggesting it may be less useful
weakness of primary data
-primary data is conducted by the researcher themselves
-which involves time and effort to obtain the data as well as analyse the findings (context)
WHEREAS
secondary data is easily accessed and requires minimal effort to obtain reducing the time and cost taken to complete the research §6
what is meant by secondary data
-data that has previously been collected by a third party
-not specifically for the aim of the study
strength of secondary data
-can be easily accessed and requires minimal effort to obtain
-researcher might find that info she wants already exists (context)
-no need to collect primary data
WHEREAS
primary data is conducted by the researcher themselves which requires time and effort
weakness of secondary data
-secondary data may be poor quality
-may be out of date or incomplete and not met the direct needs of the researcher (context)
WHEREAS
primary data is collected first hand in ppts and specifically for the aim of the research which increases the overall internal validity of the research
what is meant by a meta-analysis
-form of research method that uses secondary data
-gains data from large number of studies which have investigated the same research
-combines the info to make conclusions about behaviour
strength of a meta analysis
gather data from a number of studies which allow us to view data with much more confidence and increase the generalizability of the findings across larger populations
weakness of a meta analysis
-prone to publication bias
-researcher may not select all the relevant studies
-choosing to leave those with negative/not significant results
-data will be biased because it only represents some of the relevant data
how to analyse qualitative data
content analysis
thematic analysis
what is content analysis
-analyse qualitative data by changing large qualitative data into quantitative
-done by identifying meaningful codes
-counted to present the data in a graph
when is it appropriate to use a content analysis
the data (context) being analysed is qualitative
what is meant by coding
initial process of content analysis where qualitative data us placed into meaningful categories