Types Of Research Data

Question 1

Which researchers prefer quantitative research?

Answer 1

Positivists

Question 2

Which type of researchers prefer qualitative data?

Answer 2

Interpretivists

Question 3

Name methods of collecting quantitative data?

Answer 3

Structured interviews, Field experiments, Closed questionnaires and official statistics, Non-participant observation

Question 4

Name methods of collecting qualitative data?

Answer 4

Unstructured interviews, Open questionnaires, Participant observations and documents e.g diaries, letters

Question 5

Advantages of Quantitative data

Answer 5

-Data is numerical and objective so can draw precise conclusions
-Generasliable insights
-Easy to compare data
-Often readily available online

Question 6

Disadvantages of quantitative data?

Answer 6

-Lacks depth of understanding and insights
-Lacks contextual understanding behind the data
-May rise ethical concerns of privacy
-Neglects Verstehen (empathetic understanding)

Question 7

Advantages of qualitative research

Answer 7

-Provides rich, detailed descriptions
-Contextual understanding
-Flexibility in data collecting so can adapt approaches to dynamic research setting
-Emphasises ethical considerations such as informed consent.

Question 8

Disadvantages of Qualitative research

Answer 8

-Data is subject to bias of researcher
-Limited generalisability
-Time & resource intensive
-May raise ethical concerns related to confidentiality & anonymity
-Difficult to analyse
-Researcher influence on data

Question 9

Define Primary data

Answer 9

Collected by the researcher first hand eg questionnaires, interviews and observations

Question 10

Advantages of Primary data

Answer 10

-Tailored to research objectives
-Control over quality of data
-Allows for greater depth of understanding
-Contextual insights
-Can provide new evidence to contribute to sociological theories

Question 11

Disadvantages of primary data

Answer 11

-Time consuming, expensive and resource intensive
-Risk of sampling bias
-Data collection involves interacting with people with raises ethical concerns
-Validity and reliability issues
-Socially desirable responses

Question 12

Define Secondary data

Answer 12

Information that already exists and was complied by others eg official statistics, documents

Question 13

Advantages of secondary data

Answer 13

-Information already exists so saves time & money
-Allows for study of society in the past (longitudinal analysis) and historical data
-Useful if researcher can’t collect data firsthand
-Data already collected so no ethical concerns

Question 14

Disadvantages of Secondary data

Answer 14

-Quality concerns over data
-Limited control over data collection
-MAy not be relevant to topic
-Lack contextual information
-Access to some data resources may be restricted