types of data

Question 1

what is qualitative data

Answer 1

• expressed in words
• written description of thoughts feelings and opinions

Question 2

what is quantitative data

Answer 2

• gather numerical data in the form of an individual’s scores from participants
• data is open to being analysed statistically and can easily be converted into graphs

Question 3

evaluation of qualitative data

Answer 3

1. offers more richness of detail
   - broader in scope and gives participants the opportunity to fully report their thoughts feelings and opinions
   - greater external validity
2. difficult to analyze
   - patterns are hard to identify
   - relies on subjective interpretations so subject to bias

Question 4

evaluation of quantitative data

Answer 4

1. simple to analyse
   - comparisons can be easily drawn
   - data is more objective and less open to bias
2. narrower in meaning and detail

Question 5

what is primary data

Answer 5

• original data that has been collected specifically for the purpose of the investigation by the researcher
• questionnaire observations interviews

Question 6

what is secondary data

Answer 6

• collected by someone other than the person conducting the research
• already subject to statistical testing so significance is known
• journal articles, books , websites

Question 7

evaluation of primary data

Answer 7

1. fit the purpose of the study
2. requires time and effort

Question 8

evaluation of secondary data

Answer 8

1. inexpensive and easily accessed requiring minimal effort
2. may be variation in the quality and accuracy of secondary data
   - challenges the validity of any conclusion