T4 | Sourcing and Collecting Data Flashcards
Primary data - Definition
Data collected first-hand by researcher (survey, interview)
Secondary data - Definition
Data collected by others but you use it (ONS)
Surveys
Gains information on a certain topic, surveys usually have a large number of participants and results are reliable.
Questionnaires
Gaining feedback and investigating a trend. Questions are usually “closed”
Techniques to make them less overwhelming?
- Progress bar
- Reducing number of questions
- Split into sections
- Give an incentive
Closed question - Example
Rate something, Yes/No tick box, select one option
Open question - Example
Text/comment box (encourage free writing)
Interviews
Gain a deeper understanding of a topic. Often used for qualitative research (not numeric)
Interviews - Disadvantage
Time consuming
Focus Groups - Definition
Small group of carefully selected people (might be paid). Researcher will ask questions to establish how the group feels.
Leading questions - Definition
Make you follow a certain path
What will affect the reliability of Data?
- Sample size
- Conditions of data collection (time, weather)
- Question quality
Polling - Definition
Ask a sample of a population their opinion of certain questions. Results can show trends over time.
Error reduction
Inaccurate data will lead to inaccurate results in a survey.
What can reduce errors?
- Validation (left blank, length check)
- Verification (type password in twice)
