Research Methods- Types Of Data Flashcards
What is research data categorised as ?
Quantitative or qualitative
Quantitative data:
Data in the form of numbers (quantity).
What collects quantitative data?
Examples
The recording of variables collects quantitative data.
Examples include reaction times using a stopwatch, a rating of emotion out of seven using a Likert scale, or a tally of the number of times someone performs an operationalised behavioural category in an observation.
Descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics (averages and ranges) summarise quantitative data, and these descriptive statistics are then displayed on tables and graphs.
Qualitative data:
Data in the form of words; these words are descriptions of behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
Content analysis
converts large amounts of qualitative data into quantitative data. To turn observations and interviews into quantitative data behavioural categories can be created and then tallied.
Methodological triangulation
Involved us young more than one method to study a phenomenon
Example of Methodological triangulation
Studies can collect a combination of both quantitative and qualitative techniques in research. If both methods agree, this increases credibility (Methodological triangulation)
Quantitative data
Advantages
Objectively measured, reducing the likelihood of bias. This increases scientific credibility.
• Descriptive statistics allows quantitative data to be summarised and then displayed on graphs, charts and tables
• Quantitative data tends to be more reliable. Because of the limited number of responses, there is a higher chance of getting the same findings if the study is repeated.
Quantitative data
Disadvantages
X The limited number of qualitative research responses results in data lacking depth and detail. Also, qualitative data collection can only focus on individual behaviours and what can be mathematically measured.
Qualitative data
Advantages
seen as rich in detail; this is because qualitative researchers often collect more information, and the use of open-ended questions means participants are not limited in the responses they can give, meaning qualitative data has higher validity.
(e.g. participants can give the answer they want, not limited to yes/no or out of 7)
Qualitative data
Disadvantages
X Qualitative data gathered by the researcher can be open to
interpretation and potentially biased.
X Due to the extensive range of data collected, it can be challenging to summarise.
X As the questions that produce
qualitative data are open-ended, this tends to be more variable, reducing the reliability of qualitative research.
Primary data:
The researcher is responsible for generating the data, also known as
“first hand” or “original” data.
Primary data is created to answer the research question.
Common ways to collect primary data are :
the researcher conducting:
experiments
observations
interviews
questionnaires
and case studies.
Secondary data:
Also known as “second-hand” data, this is when researchers use information previously collected by a third party, such as another researcher or organisation. This Secondary data was initially collected for a reason other than to answer the current research question.