Research Methods- Types Of Data

Question 1

What is research data categorised as ?

Answer 1

Quantitative or qualitative

Question 2

Quantitative data:

Answer 2

Data in the form of numbers (quantity).

Question 3

What collects quantitative data?

Examples

Answer 3

The recording of variables collects quantitative data.

Examples include reaction times using a stopwatch, a rating of emotion out of seven using a Likert scale, or a tally of the number of times someone performs an operationalised behavioural category in an observation.

Question 4

Descriptive statistics

Answer 4

Descriptive statistics (averages and ranges) summarise quantitative data, and these descriptive statistics are then displayed on tables and graphs.

Question 5

Qualitative data:

Answer 5

Data in the form of words; these words are descriptions of behaviour, thoughts and feelings.

Question 6

Content analysis

Answer 6

converts large amounts of qualitative data into quantitative data. To turn observations and interviews into quantitative data behavioural categories can be created and then tallied.

Question 7

Methodological triangulation

Answer 7

Involved us young more than one method to study a phenomenon

Question 8

Example of Methodological triangulation

Answer 8

Studies can collect a combination of both quantitative and qualitative techniques in research. If both methods agree, this increases credibility (Methodological triangulation)

Question 9

Quantitative data
Advantages

Answer 9

Objectively measured, reducing the likelihood of bias. This increases scientific credibility.

• Descriptive statistics allows quantitative data to be summarised and then displayed on graphs, charts and tables

• Quantitative data tends to be more reliable. Because of the limited number of responses, there is a higher chance of getting the same findings if the study is repeated.

Question 10

Quantitative data
Disadvantages

Answer 10

X The limited number of qualitative research responses results in data lacking depth and detail. Also, qualitative data collection can only focus on individual behaviours and what can be mathematically measured.

Question 11

Qualitative data
Advantages

Answer 11

seen as rich in detail; this is because qualitative researchers often collect more information, and the use of open-ended questions means participants are not limited in the responses they can give, meaning qualitative data has higher validity.

(e.g. participants can give the answer they want, not limited to yes/no or out of 7)

Question 12

Qualitative data
Disadvantages

Answer 12

X Qualitative data gathered by the researcher can be open to
interpretation and potentially biased.

X Due to the extensive range of data collected, it can be challenging to summarise.

X As the questions that produce
qualitative data are open-ended, this tends to be more variable, reducing the reliability of qualitative research.

Question 13

Primary data:

Answer 13

The researcher is responsible for generating the data, also known as
“first hand” or “original” data.

Primary data is created to answer the research question.

Question 14

Common ways to collect primary data are :

Answer 14

the researcher conducting:
experiments
observations
interviews
questionnaires
and case studies.

Question 15

Secondary data:

Answer 15

Also known as “second-hand” data, this is when researchers use information previously collected by a third party, such as another researcher or organisation. This Secondary data was initially collected for a reason other than to answer the current research question.

Question 16

Examples of secondary data are

Answer 16

government or business statistics and records or previously published studies.

Question 17

Primary data
Advantages

Answer 17

Increased validity as the data is collected to answer the research question directly. The experiment or observation is designed to test the intended variable directly.

Increased validity as the researcher can control the data collection process carefully.

Question 18

Primary data
Disadvantages

Answer 18

X Collecting original data from
participants is both time-consuming for the researcher and potentially expensive.

Costs include paying participants for their time and other researchers for their work. Setting up an experiment also includes paying for materials.

Question 19

Secondary data
Advantages

Answer 19

Secondary data already exists and is often already analysed; this can dramatically reduce both the time needed to conduct research and the costs involved in conducting a study involving participants.

Question 20

Secondary data
Disadvantages

Answer 20

X Decreased validity as the data is not collected to answer the research question directly. The data may not be appropriate to answer the researcher’s research question.

X Decreased validity as the researcher had no role in the data collection process, so cannot ensure that the data was collected free from bias or is the result of variables.

Question 21

Meta-analysis:

Answer 21

A process that collects and combines the results of a range of previously published studies asking similar research questions. The data collected is compared and reviewed together, and part of this review can include statistically combining all the data to produce an overall effect size and conclusion.

Question 22

Meta- analysis
Advanatges

Answer 22

+ The large sample size of meta-analysis produces results that are more statistically powerful than studies with a small number of participants.

+ As meta-analysis looks at the overall pattern of results across many studies, a small number of individual studies that are affected by bias or a lack of control will not change the overall pattern of results, making meta-analysis more trustworthy than any individual study.

+ Studies testing the same variable in various contexts (such as across cultures) be compared, revealing unexpected relationships.

Question 23

Meta-analysis
Disadvanatges

Answer 23

X A meta-analysis has all the weaknesses of secondary data; the researcher has no control over the quality of the data collected. Also, included studies are conducted to answer particular research questions, so may not be comparable.

X Studies that show a statistically significant result are more likely to be published (so included in a meta-analysis), while non-significant results are unlikely to be submitted for publication (the file draw problem)

X The choice of which studies to include/exclude could be biased.