types of data Flashcards
Qualitative data
data that is expressed in words and non-numerical
Quantitative data
data that can be counted, usually given as numbers
Primary data
information that has been obtained first-hand by a researcher for the purposes of a research project
Secondary data
information that has already been collected by someone else and so pre-dates the current research project
Meta-analysis
the process of combining the findings from a number of studies on a particular topic
Publication bias
the failure to publish the results of a study on the basis of the direction or strength of the study findings
strengths of qualitative data
- More richness in detail
- greater external validity
limitation of qualitative data
Difficult to analyse
Summarised statistically
strength of quantitative data
simple to analyse
limitation of quantitative data
Much narrower in meaning and detail
Fail to represent ‘real life’
strenghts of primary data
- fits the job (authentic data)
- specifically target the information
limitation of pimary data
requires time and effort
strength of secondary data
Inexpensive and easily accessed requiring minimal effort
limitation of secondary data
Variations in the quality and accuracy
- Challenges the validity
strength of meta-analysis
Larger more varied sample
- Can be generalised
