Types of data Flashcards
What is qualitative data?
Data expressed in the form of words
What are the strengths of qualitative data?
- Rich in detail
- High external validity
What are the limitations of qualitative data?
- Hard to analyse
- Rely on subjective opinion
What is quantitative data?
Data expressed in numerical form
What are the strengths of quantitative data?
- Simple to analyse
- Easy to draw comparisons
- Objective
- Less bias
What are the limitations of quantitative data?
- Lack in detail
- May fail to represent real life
What is primary data?
Data collected by the researcher
What are the strengths of primary data?
- Fits the job
- Authentic data
- Designed to collect specific data
What are the limitations of primary data?
- Requires time and effort
- Requires planning, preparation and resources
What is secondary data?
Data collected by someone else- already exists
What are the strengths of secondary data?
- Inexpensive
- Easily accessed
- Desired info may already exist
What are the limitations of secondary data?
- Variations in quality and accuracy
- Pre-existing data may not be specific to the researcher
- Lacks validity
What is meta-analysis?
Process, in which a number of studies that investigated similar aims/hypotheses are identified. Results are combined and a joint conclusion is produced
What are the strengths of meta-analysis?
- Allows us to create a larger, varied sample
- Results can be generalised
- High validity
What are the limitations of meta-analysis?
- Prone to publication bias (researchers may exclude some negative studies)
