Types of Data

Question 1

What are the five types of data?

Answer 1

1. Primary data
2. Secondary data
3. Qualitative data
4. Quantitative data
5. Meta - analysis

Question 2

What is primary data?

Answer 2

Primary data is the original data that has been collected by the researcher specifically for the purpose of the study

Question 3

Who is primary data collected from? How is primary data collected?

Answer 3

Primary data is collected from participants

It is collected by conducting experiments, questionnaires, interviews or observations

Question 4

What is a strength of primary data? (validity)

Answer 4

Primary data has internal validity since the researcher collects the data for the research being conducting therefore information that is specifically required is targeted

Question 5

What are the limitations of primary data?

Answer 5

Primary data is very time consuming to collect as data is collected firsthand, this also causes increased costs as depending on the method used to gather the information, researchers may need to be trained, participants may need to be paid etc

Question 6

What is secondary data?

Answer 6

Secondary data is data which is collected already by someone else that is the researcher

Question 7

What is an example of secondary data?

Answer 7

Includes data found in journal articles, books or websites

Question 8

What are examples of secondary data, statistical information?

Answer 8

Statistical information held by government (census), population records or employee absences records within an organisation

Question 9

What is a strength of secondary data? (cost, time + effort)

Answer 9

Secondary data usage is inexpensive an does not require as much time to gather/observe unlike primary data. Additionally secondary data can easily be accessed, through online sources, books, records. Therefore it requires minimal effort from researchers

Question 10

What is a limitation of secondary data? (quality, accuracy + relevance)

Answer 10

Secondary data varies in quality and accuracy of data as others have collected the data and standards cannot be kept the same across findings. The content of data gathered may also be irrelevant as more often than not the data has already been subject to statistical testing, thus making its significance unknown

Question 11

What is qualitative data?

Answer 11

Qualitative data is data that is expressed through words, taking the form of a written description of thoughts, feelings and opinions of participants

Question 12

What are examples of qualitative data?

Answer 12

Transcripts from interviews, extracts of diaries, notes recorded

Question 13

What are ways to collect qualitative data?

Answer 13

Qualitative data can be collected by conducting interviews or unstructured observations

Question 14

Where does qualitative data derive from?

Answer 14

Qualitative data derives from open ended questions

Question 15

What is a strength of using qualitative data? (validity type, richness, ppts pov)

Answer 15

Qualitative data allows more richness in the details of the study. It leads to greater external validity and provides the researcher with meaningful insight into the participant’s worldview

Question 16

What is a limitation of using qualitative data? (analysis + bias)

Answer 16

Qualitative data can be difficult to analyse, patterns and comparisons can be hard to identify. As a result this type of data can be subject to the biases of the researcher’s interpretation

Question 17

What is quantitative data?

Answer 17

Quantitative data is data that is expressed numerically

Question 18

How is this data usually gathered?

Answer 18

This data is usually gathered in numerical data in the form of scores from participants

Question 19

Where does quantitative data derive from?

Answer 19

Quantitative data derives from close ended questions

Question 20

What is a strength of quantitative data?

Answer 20

Quantitative data is simpler to analyse and draw conclusions from, this makes comparisons easy to draw. Additionally quantitative data is more objective, as a result less open to bias

Question 21

What is a limitation of quantitative data?

Answer 21

Quantitative data is narrower in scope and meaning, it fails to represent real life as it lack external validity

Question 22

What is a meta - analysis?

Answer 22

A meta - analysis is data collected from a large number of studies, which is then combined

Question 23

What is a strength of meta analysis?

Answer 23

Meta analysis require much less time and money in order to gather the information. Also the results gathered can be generalised across much larger populations

Question 24

What is the limitation of meta analysis?

Answer 24

Meta analysis are prone to publication biases. They also may only present ‘relevant data’ and incorrect conclusions that may affect the reliability of research. Additionally if people made mistakes or were biased their studies will affect the results also affecting the validity of the research