types and sources of data Flashcards
what is quantitative data?
numerical, depends on numbers, counts, frequencies etc
what are quantitative methods of data?
lab experiments, field experiments, questionnaires, structured interviews, official statistics
who favours quantitative data?
positivists, because they’re objective and numerical so can be cross-examined to generate cause and effect relationships, and generalisations can be made
what are lab experiments?
test hypothesise in controlled environments where the researcher Changes IV and measures the effect on DV
advantages of lab experiments
-highly reliable
-identified cause and effect
disadvantages of lab experiments
-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
what are field experiments?
take place in the real world, where researcher either creates a situation or adapts real-life situations, ps usually unaware
advantages of field experiments
-less artificiality
-validity - no Hawthorne effect
disadvantages of field experiments
-ethical issues - no informed consent
-less control over variables
-limited application -
what are questionnaires?
form of social survey
typically a list of pre-set questions that are closed-end
advantages of questionnaires
-practical (cheap and quick)
-quantifiable
-representative (can be given to a wide population)
-reliable (can be easily replicated)
-limited ethical issues
disadvantages of questionnaires
-low response rate (may hinder representativeness)
-low validity (people could lie)
-possible confusion (question wording with no interviewer to explain)
what are structured interviews?
personal delivery of a questionnaire
advantages of structured interviews?
-practical
-representative
-results are quantifiable
-reliable (can be repeated)
disadvantages of structured interviews
-lack of validity (people could lie)
