types of data

Question 1

define qualitative data

Answer 1

data that is expressed in words and is non numerical

Question 2

define quantitative data

Answer 2

data that can be counted usually given as numbers

Question 3

define primary data

Answer 3

information that has been obtained firsthand by a researcher for the purposes of the research project

Question 4

define secondary data

Answer 4

information that has been collected by someone else so predates the current research project

Question 5

define meta analysis

Answer 5

process of combining the findings from a number of studies on a particular topic

to produce an overall statistical conclusion on the basis of a range of studies

Question 6

evaluate qualitative data

Answer 6

+ high external validity
+ rich in detail
- hard to analyse
- doesn’t summarise well statistically
- subjective interpretation of data

Question 7

evaluate quantitative data

Answer 7

+ easy to analyse statistically
+ objective and less open to bias
- doesn’t allow participants to extend opinions and feelings
- narrower in scope and may fail to represent “real life”

Question 8

evaluate primary data

Answer 8

+ authentic data observed from participants themselves
- requires time and effort

Question 9

evaluate secondary data

Answer 9

+ inexpensive and easily accessible
- variates the quality and accuracy of the data
- may be outdated or incomplete

Question 10

evaluate meta analysis

Answer 10

+ large varied sample of results that can be more generalised = increased validity of results
- researcher may not select all relevant studies to add to the analysis. Leave out ones with non-significant findings therefore data can be biased as only some are reported