types of data

Question 1

qualitative data

Answer 1

expressed in words and non numerical data

Question 2

what might be shown in qualitative data

Answer 2

written descriptions of thoughts, feelings and opinions

Question 3

what form of observation is qualitative data

Answer 3

unstructured interview

Question 4

quantitative data

Answer 4

data that can be counted, usually given as numbers. data is open to being statistically analysed and can easily be converted into graphs and charts etc

Question 5

what is quantitative data usually used for

Answer 5

gathering numerical data in the form of individual scores from participants

Question 6

is quantitative or qualitative data best

Answer 6

it depends on the aim of the research. there is often overlap in data being collected such as quantitative data being collected from an experiment may have qualitative data from an interview aswell.

Question 7

can qualitiative data be converted

Answer 7

qualitative data can be converted into numerical data

Question 8

primary data

Answer 8

information obtained first hand by the researcher for the purposes of a research study

Question 9

where is primary data often gathered from

Answer 9

directly from participants as part of an experiment, self-report or observation

Question 10

secondary data

Answer 10

information that has already been collected by someone else and so pre-dates the current research project

Question 11

where is secondary data often gathered from

Answer 11

journal articles, books or websites. statistical information held by the government such as population records or employee absences within an organisation

Question 12

meta-analysis

Answer 12

the process of combining the findings from a number of studies on a particular topic. the aim is to produce an overall statistical conclusion based on a range of studies

Question 13

how are meta-analysis studies chosen

Answer 13

same aims or hypothesis

Question 14

how is meta-analysis used in experimental research

Answer 14

where the IV has been measured in the same way, it is possible to perform a statistical analysis and calculate an effect size. which gives an overall statistical measure of difference or relationship between variables across a number of studies

Question 15

meta-analysis strengths

Answer 15

allows us to create a larger, more varied sample and results can be generalised across much larger populations, increasing validity

Question 16

meta-analysis limitations

Answer 16

may be prone to publication bias. the researcher may not select all relevant studies, choosing to leave out those studies with negative or non-significant results –> the conclusions from the meta-analysis will be biased because they will only represent some of the relevant data

Question 17

qualitative data strengths

Answer 17

-offers the researcher more richness in detail than quantitative data
-much broader in scope and gives the opportunity for the participant to fully report their thoughts, feelings and opinions
-this means that it has a greater external validity as provides researcher with a more meaningful insight into participants world view

Question 18

qualitative data limitations

Answer 18

-often difficult to analyse as tends not to lend itself to being summarised statistically so patterns and comparisons within the data may be hard to identify
-this means that conclusions often rely on the subjective interpretations of the researcher and these may be subject to bias, particularly if the researcher has preconceptions about what they might find

Question 19

quantitative data strengths

Answer 19

-simple to analyse and therefore comparisons can be easily drawn
-numerical data tends to be more objective and less bias

Question 20

quantitative data limitations

Answer 20

-much narrower in meaning and detail than qualitative data so may fail to represent real life

Question 21

primary data strengths

Answer 21

-fit for purpose as data is authentic and and obtained from participants themselves the investigation, the questionnaires and interviews for instance are designed in a way that they specifically target the info the researcher requires

Question 22

primary data limitations

Answer 22

-requires time and effort from the researcher as conducting an experiment requires planning, prep and resources

Question 23

secondary data strengths

Answer 23

-may be inexpensive and easliy accessed which requires minimal effort
-the reseacher may find that the data already exists and that there is no need to conduct primary data

Question 24

secondary data limitations

Answer 24

-may be substantial variation in quality and accuracy of the data
-the content of the data might not match the researcher’s needs or objectives which may challenge the validity of conclusions