Types Of Data

Question 1

Quantitative Data

Answer 1

Deals with numbers
Data which can be measured
Psychologists develop measures of psychological variables
Looking at averages and differences between groups

Question 2

Qualitative Data

Answer 2

Deals with descriptions (non-numerical data)
Data that is observed not measured
Observing people through the messages they produced the way they act
Concerned with attitudes, beliefs, fears and emotions

Question 3

Evaluation of Quantitative Data

Answer 3

Adv- Easy to analyse using statistical testing, can then draw conclusions from the research

Disadv- This could lead to the data becoming oversimplified. Closed questions may lead people to select an answer that fully represent their feelings, this could void the research as meaningless

Question 4

Evaluation of Qualitative Data

Answer 4

Adv- Provides detailed information which can provide unexpected insights into thoughts, feelings and behaviours as the answers are not restricted by closed questions

Disadv- Extremely difficult to analyse and draw conclusions from

Question 5

Primary Data

Answer 5

Data that is collected or observed first hand by the researcher
In Psychology, you design the study, gain ethical approval, pilot the study, recruit the participants then carry out the research with analysis
Involves testing the effects of the IV against the DV
Involves a range of methodologies- questionnaires, observations, interviews, experiments
Can gather both Qualitative and Quantitative data

Question 6

Secondary Data

Answer 6

Data that is collected for a purpose other than the current one
Researcher can use data that they have collected from another piece of research or they can use research that has been collected by someone else
Researcher will review the data that is available to them
Meta-analysis is conducted on all the data and correlations are gathered

Question 7

Evaluation of Primary Data

Answer 7

Adv- Researcher has control over the data
Research design and data collection can be designed so it fits the aims and hypothesis of the study

Disadv- Research can be time consuming to design the study, select the participants, conduct the study then analyse the data, this can lead to expensive research

Question 8

Evaluation of Secondary Data

Answer 8

Adv- It is simplier to access someone else’s research, therefore it is cheaper and less time consuming

Disadv- Researcher may not be able to find the research that is needed