Types of Data 📊 Flashcards
What is quantitative data?
Quantitative data is numerical data that can be statistically analysed and converted easily into a graphical format. Experiments, structured observations, correlations and close/rating-scale questions from questionnaires all produce quantitative data.
EVALUATION: Quantitative Data
STRENGTH - EASY TO ANALYSE
— A strength of quantitative data is that it is easy to analyse statistically.
— When large amounts of numerical data are generated it is relatively easy to conduct descriptive statistics or inferential tests of significance which allow for comparisons and tends to be identified between groups.
— Since established mathematical procedures are in place for this type of analysis, it makes quantitative data more objective.
DISADVANTAGE - REPRESENTATIVENESS
— A disadvantage of quantitative data is its lack of representativeness.
— Since this type of data is often generated from closed questions, the responses gained are narrow in their scope towards explaining complex human behaviour.
— This means that, in comparison to qualitative data, the numerical data findings can often lack meaning and context. As such, it may not be true representation of real life and thus lack validity.
What is qualitative data?
