types and sources of data Flashcards

1
Q

what is quantitative data?

A

numerical, depends on numbers, counts, frequencies etc

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2
Q

what are quantitative methods of data?

A

lab experiments, field experiments, questionnaires, structured interviews, official statistics

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3
Q

who favours quantitative data?

A

positivists, because they’re objective and numerical so can be cross-examined to generate cause and effect relationships, and generalisations can be made

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4
Q

what are lab experiments?

A

test hypothesise in controlled environments where the researcher Changes IV and measures the effect on DV

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5
Q

advantages of lab experiments

A

-highly reliable
-identified cause and effect

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6
Q

disadvantages of lab experiments

A

-artificial, don’t show real behaviour
-the Hawthorne effect - if people know they’re being studied they’ll act differently
-ethical issues - needs informed consent
-unrepresentative - usually small scale
-impossible to control ALL variables

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7
Q

what are field experiments?

A

take place in the real world, where researcher either creates a situation or adapts real-life situations, ps usually unaware

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8
Q

advantages of field experiments

A

-less artificiality
-validity - no Hawthorne effect

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9
Q

disadvantages of field experiments

A

-ethical issues - no informed consent
-less control over variables
-limited application -

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10
Q

what are questionnaires?

A

form of social survey
typically a list of pre-set questions that are closed-end

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11
Q

advantages of questionnaires

A

-practical (cheap and quick)
-quantifiable
-representative (can be given to a wide population)
-reliable (can be easily replicated)
-limited ethical issues

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12
Q

disadvantages of questionnaires

A

-low response rate (may hinder representativeness)
-low validity (people could lie)
-possible confusion (question wording with no interviewer to explain)

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13
Q

what are structured interviews?

A

personal delivery of a questionnaire

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14
Q

advantages of structured interviews?

A

-practical
-representative
-results are quantifiable
-reliable (can be repeated)

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15
Q

disadvantages of structured interviews

A

-lack of validity (people could lie)

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16
Q

what are official statistics?

A

quantitative data collected by government bodies

17
Q

advantages of official statistics

A

-practical, cheap and easy to access
-allow cross-examination
-can compare trends
-representative
-reliable (has to be filed legally)

18
Q

disadvantages of official statistics

A

-gov collects data for their own benefit
-can be misinterpreted
-definitions may be different
-unreliable (can be filed wrong accidentally)

19
Q

what is qualitative data?

A

descriptive
depicts qualities, characteristics etc

20
Q

who favours qualitative data?

A

interpretivists because they provide deep, subjective, meaningful insights into social behaviour

21
Q

examples of qualitative research methods

A

-unstructured interviews
-participant observations
-documents

22
Q
A