RM - Types of Data

Question 1

Quantitative Data Definition

Answer 1

Expressed numerically (MP1) can be gained from individual scores in experiments (e.g no of words recalled) (MP2)

Question 2

Strength of Quantitative Data:

Answer 2

P: simple to analyse
E: allows comparisons to be drawn and patterns + trends to be established
E: easier to make conclusions about behaviour (CONTEXT)
L: qualitative data = wordy = difficult to summarise statistically = harder to draw comparisons

Question 3

Weakness of Quantitative Data:

Answer 3

P: lacks depth and meaning
E: prevents ppts from developing thoughts, feelings, opinions on subject (CONTEXT)
E: may lack vital detail, ↓ internal validity
L: qualitative data = rich in detail = greater understanding of human behaviour

Question 4

Qualitative Data Definition:

Answer 4

Descriptive data (MP1) written description of thoughts/feelings/opinions of ppts (e.g notes from interview, open question answers) (MP2)

Question 5

Strength of Qualitative Data:

Answer 5

P: provides rich detail and depth
E: ppts can develop their thought + feelings on subject
E: greater understanding of behaviour being studied (CONTEXT)
L: quantitative data = data is numerical = lacks depth and meaning

Question 6

Weakness of Qualitative Data:

Answer 6

P: harder to analyse
E: difficult to statistically summarise to establish patterns and trends
E: opens data up to potential researcher bias as analysis based on own subjective interpretations of data(CONTEXT)
L: quantitative data = analysed statistically = establish patterns and trends = easier to make objective conclusions about behaviour

Question 7

Primary Data Definition:

Answer 7

Gained directly from ppts (MP1) specific to aim of study (MP2)

Question 8

Strength of Primary Data:

Answer 8

P: specific to aim of study
E: allows researchers to target the specific info they need
E: ↑ internal validity
L: secondary data = may not meet direct aims of researcher = may be less useful

Question 9

Weakness of Primary Data

Answer 9

P: takes time and effort
E: conducted by researcher (CONTEXT)
E: will take time to obtain data and analyse findings (CONTEXT)
L: secondary data = easily accessed = requires minimal effort = ↓ time and cost needed to conduct research

Question 10

Secondary Data Definition

Answer 10

Previously collected by a 3rd party (other researcher or official (e.g government)) and used by researcher(MP1) not specific to aim of study (MP2)

Question 11

Strength of Secondary Data

Answer 11

P: easily accessed, requires minimal effort to obtain
E: data the researcher needs may already exist
E: no need to collect primary data
L: primary data = requires time and effort to obtain data and analyse findings

Question 12

Weakness of Secondary Data:

Answer 12

P: poor quality/inaccuracies
E: may be valuable at first but could be outdated or incomplete
E: might not meet direct needs of researcher (CONTEXT)
L: primary data = collected directly from ppts and specifically for aims of research = requires minimal effort = ↑ overall internal validity

Question 13

Strength of Meta Analysis

Answer 13

P: data gathered from a number of studies
E: allows us to view data with much more confidence
E: ↑ generalisability of findings across much larger populations
L: ↑ external validity

Question 14

Weakness of Meta Analysis

Answer 14

P: open to publication bias
E: researcher may not select all the relevant studies, leaving out studies with negative/non-significant results
E: data = biased = only represents some of the relevant data
L: incorrect conclusion drawn = ↓ internal validity