Types of Data

Question 1

Quantitative Data

Answer 1

• Data that is represented in numerical form
  > eg. number of correct responses, the percentage of people choosing a particular option
• Data is collected using the following methods:
  > Experiments
  > Correlation
  > Structured Observations
  > Questionnaires and Interviews when closed questions are used

Question 2

Advantages of Quantitative Data

Answer 2

+ Considered most scientific as it is more objective.
+ Easier to analyse through statistical techniques such as means, medians and modes.
> Easier to summarise as it can easily be represented visually in graphs.

Question 3

Disadvantages of Quantitative Data

Answer 3

• Does not offer researchers an in depth picture of a particular topic.
• Limited in scope
  > It only tells us how often a particular behaviour occurs, not why it occurs (no cause and effect)

Question 4

Qualitative data

Answer 4

• Data that is non numerical
  > eg. a quotation from an interview, an extract from a text, a picture
• Qualitative data is collected using the following methods:
  > Unstructured Observations
  > Questionnaires and Interviews when open questions are used

Question 5

Advantages of Qualitative data

Answer 5

+ Offers researchers an in depth picture of a particular topic.
+ Why particular behaviours occur rather than just looking at the frequency of the behaviour in question.

Question 6

Disadvantages of Qualitative data

Answer 6

• Considered less scientific as it is subjective in nature.

- Harder to analyse as it cannot be represented visually unless it is turned into quantitative data.