Quan vs Qual & Prim vs Sec

• What are the two main types of data in sociology?

  Quantitative and qualitative data
• What is quantitative data?

  Information of a numerical kind
• Give an example of quantitative data collection methods.

  Official statistics
• What is a method of collecting quantitative data?

  Survey data, such as questionnaires
• What is a theoretical advantage of quantitative data according to positivists?

  High reliability due to standardized procedures
• Why is quantitative data considered representative?

  It often involves large-scale surveys, making generalization easier
• What is a practical advantage of quantitative data?

  It is easier and quicker to analyze than qualitative data
• What is a theoretical disadvantage of quantitative data according to interpretivists?

  It has low validity as it oversimplifies human nature
• What is a practical limitation of quantitative data?

  It cannot be converted into qualitative data
• What is qualitative data?

  Information that is in-depth and in written form
• Give an example of qualitative data collection methods.

  Informal interviews
• What is the definition of quantitative data?

  Quantitative data is information of a numerical kind.
• What are examples of quantitative data methods?

  Examples of quantitative data methods include official statistics, survey data (e.g. questionnaires and structured interviews), and structured non-participant observation.
• What are the theoretical advantages of quantitative data from a positivist perspective?

  The theoretical advantages of quantitative data from a positivist perspective are that it has high reliability, representativeness, and objectivity.
• What are the practical advantages of quantitative data?

  The practical advantages of quantitative data are that it is easier to analyze than qualitative data, as it is quicker to analyze a chart or table of numbers and make comparisons.
• What are the theoretical disadvantages of quantitative data from an interpretivist perspective?

  The theoretical disadvantages of quantitative data from an interpretivist perspective are that it has low validity, as it reduces thoughts and feelings to numbers and oversimplifies human nature, and it tells us very little about people's feelings, motives, and emotions.
• What is the definition of qualitative data?

  Qualitative data is information that is in-depth and in a written form, and aims to give a feel for what something is like.
• What are examples of qualitative data methods?

  Examples of qualitative data methods include informal interviews, unstructured participant observation, and most documentary sources such as letters, diaries, and photographs.
• What are the theoretical advantages of qualitative data from an interpretivist perspective?

  The theoretical advantages of qualitative data from an interpretivist perspective are that it has high validity, as it is possible to gain a rich, detailed description of people's feelings and experiences, and it tends to be collected in more natural settings and circumstances, which means it is a greater reflection of real-life behavior.
• What are the practical advantages of qualitative data?

  The practical advantage of qualitative data is that it is possible to convert qualitative data into quantitative data, which creates flexibility as it allows researchers to use the same data in different ways, unlike quantitative data.
• What are the theoretical disadvantages of qualitative data from a positivist perspective?

  The theoretical disadvantages of qualitative data from a positivist perspective are that it has low representativeness, as the small-scale nature makes it difficult to generalize from the findings and gain representative views, and low reliability, as it is harder to replicate due to lack of control and difficulty in standardizing procedures.
• What is the definition of primary data?

  Primary data is information collected first-hand by sociologists themselves.
• What are examples of primary data methods?

  Examples of primary data methods include surveys (questionnaires and structured interviews), participant and non-participant observation, informal interviews, semi-structured interviews, and experiments.
• What are the practical advantages of primary data?

  The practical advantages of primary data are that sociologists have control over how the data is collected, allowing them to gather information that is precisely needed, and the research findings will be up-to-date, as the data will be current and not in the public domain.
• What are the practical disadvantages of primary data?

  The practical disadvantages of primary data are that it can be costly, as it tends to be more expensive to conduct than secondary methods, and it can be time-consuming, as it typically requires several steps, such as hypothesis or aim, operationalizing concepts, designing research tools, pilot study, selecting a sample, gaining access, carrying out research, recording data, and analyzing data.
• What is the definition of secondary data?

  Secondary data is information that has been collected or created by someone else.
• What are examples of secondary data?

  Examples of secondary data include official statistics, existing research, and documentary sources (e.g. letters, diaries, drawings, media, texts, blogs).
• What are the practical advantages of secondary data?

  The practical advantages of secondary data are that it is quick and cheap to conduct, as someone else has already produced the information, and most secondary data is readily and freely available to the sociologist.
• What are the practical disadvantages of secondary data?

  The practical disadvantages of secondary data are that it may not provide all the information that is needed, as it has been written for purposes other than sociological use, and it can be out of date, as some secondary sources can be up to 10 years old.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative research methods?

  Strengths:

  • High reliability due to standardized procedures and controls
  • Representativeness through large-scale surveys
  • High objectivity with little interpretation

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low validity as it oversimplifies human nature
  • Cannot capture the complexities of human behavior and feelings
  • Difficult to convert quantitative data into qualitative data
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of qualitative research methods?

  Strengths:

  • High validity as it provides rich, detailed descriptions of experiences
  • Flexibility to convert qualitative data into quantitative data
  • Collected in natural settings reflecting real-life behavior

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Low representativeness due to small-scale samples
  • Low reliability as it is difficult to replicate
  • Subjectivity due to researcher interpretation
• What are the steps involved in conducting primary research?

  Steps in primary research:

  1. Formulate hypothesis or research aim
  2. Operationalize concepts
  3. Design research tools (e.g. questionnaires, interview schedules)
  4. Conduct pilot study
  5. Select sample
  6. Gain access to research participants
  7. Carry out data collection
  8. Record data
  9. Analyze data
• How does the use of secondary data differ from primary data?

  Differences between primary and secondary data:

  • Primary data is collected first-hand by the researcher, while secondary data is collected by someone else
  • Primary data allows the researcher control over data collection, while secondary data may not provide all the information needed
  • Primary data is up-to-date, while secondary data can be out of date
  • Primary data is more expensive and time-consuming to collect, while secondary data is quicker and cheaper
• How do the advantages and disadvantages of quantitative and qualitative research methods differ?

  The key differences are that quantitative methods are seen as having higher reliability, representativeness, and objectivity from a positivist perspective, but lower validity in capturing the complexities of human behavior and feelings from an interpretivist perspective. Qualitative methods are seen as having higher validity and allowing for richer, more detailed descriptions, but lower representativeness and reliability from a positivist view.
• How do the advantages and disadvantages of primary and secondary data differ?

  The key differences are that primary data gives the researcher more control over data collection and provides up-to-date information, but is more costly and time-consuming to collect. Secondary data is quicker and cheaper to obtain, but may not provide all the information needed and can be out of date.