Types of data Flashcards
What is quantitative data?
Numerical data that can be statistically analysed and converted easily into a graphical format.
What would produce quantitative data?
Experiments, structures observations, correlations and closed/ rating-scale questions from questionnaires
Quantitative data AO3:
- Easy to analyse statistically
- Lack of representativeness as it’s typically gathered from closed questions
What is qualitative data?
Non-numerical, language based Dara expressed in words
How would you collect qualitative data?
Semi-structured or unstructured interviews and open questions in questionnaires
Qualitative data AO3:
- Rich detail in it’s answers
- Can be subjective and hard to interpret (may be biased)
What is primary data?
Data that has been collected for a specific reason and reported by the original researcher. Sometimes referred to as field research
Primary data AO3:
- Authentic as it’s collected first hand by researcher
- Limitations of gathering data, can take a long time and be expensive
What is secondary data?
Information that was collected by other researchers for a purpose other than the investigation in which it is currently being used, it already exists.
Secondary data AO3:
- Less time consuming and is free to use
- Concerns over accuracy, the information wasn’t gathered specifically for the research so could have variability in the quality of the data
What is meta-analysis
Investigators combine findings from multiple studies (secondary data) to make an overall analysis of trends and patterns
Meta analysis AO3:
- The conclusions are drawn from a larger sample so can be more likely generalisable to the general population
- There are issues of bias. The researcher will select the pieces of research they want, may discount certain findings
