Types of Data

Question 1

What is quantitative data?

Answer 1

• Quantitative data is data that represents how much or how long, how many etc, there are of something i.e is measured in numbers or quantities.
• quantity
• deals with numbers
• data which can be measured

Question 2

What is qualitative data?

Answer 2

• qualitative data cant be counted or quantified but it can be turned into quantified but it can be turned into quantitative data by placing the data in categories and then counting frequency.
• quality
• deals with descriptions
• data that is observed not measured.

Question 3

What is Primary data?

Answer 3

• Primary data is information observed or collected directly from first hand experience. In the case of psychological research it is data collected by the researcher for the study currently being undertaken.
• The collection of primary data would involve designing the study, gaining ethical approval, piloting the study, recruiting and testing participants, and finally analysing the data collected and drawing conclusions.

Question 4

What is Secondary Data?

Answer 4

• Secondary data is information that was collected for a purpose other than the current one.
• The researcher could use data collected by themselves but for a different study or collected by another researcher. The researcher might make use of government statistics, such as information about the treatment of mental health, or make use of data held by a hospital or other institution.