Types Of Data

What is qualitative data?

Data that is expressed in words and is non-numerical (though data may be converted to numbers for the purpose of analysis)

What are the strengths of qualitative data?

• Offers the researcher more richness of detail.

• Much broader in scope and gives the respondent/participant more license to develop their thoughts, feelings and opinions.

• Tends to have greater external validity

What is the limitation of qualitative data?

Conclusions often rely on the subjunctive interpretations of the researcher - may be subject to bias.

What is quantitative data?

Data that can be counted, usually in numbers.

What are the strengths of quantitative data?

• Data is relatively simple to analyse.

• Comparisons between groups can be easily drawn.

• Data tends be more objective and less open to bias.

What are the limitations of quantitative data?

• Much narrower in scope and meaning.

• May fail to represent ‘real-life‘.

What is primary data?

Information that has been obtained firsthand by the researcher for the purposes of a research project.

How is primary data usually obtained?

Directly from participants as part of an expiremt, self-report or observation.

What are the strengths of primary data?

• Fits the job.

• Data is authentic.

What are the limitations of primary data?

• Requires time and effort from the researcher

What is secondary data?

Information that has already been collected by someone else and so pre-dates the current project.

In psychology, what might secondary data include?

The work of other psychologists or statistics.

What are the strengths of secondary data?

• Inexpensive and easily aquired.

What are the limitations of secondary data?

• There may be substantial variation in the quality and accuracy.

• May be outdated or incomplete.

• The cpntent of the data may not match the researcher’s needs or objectives.

What is meta-analysis?

The process of combining results from a number of studies on a particular topic to provide an overall view.

What might a meta-analysis involve?

A qualitative reviwe of conclusions and/or a quantitative analysis of the results producing an effect size.

What are the strengths of a meta-analysis?

• It increases validity of the conclusions - the eventual sample size is much larger that the individual sample.

  • Generalisations can be made.

What are the limitations of a meta-analysis?

• Publication bias.

• If the studies have poor quality, the work produced will aslo have poor quality.

Why is publication bias a limiation of meta-analysis?

The researcher may not select all relevant studies, leaving out negative or non-significant results.