Data analysis: Kinds of Data

• Qualitative data


  Data that is expressed in words and it is non-numerical.
• Quantitative Data


  Data that is expressed in numerical form
• Primary Data


  This refers to original data that has been collected specifically for the purpose of the investigation by the researcher. It is data that arrives first-hand from the participants themselves.

  + Authentic data obtained from the participant themselves for the purpose of a particular investigation. The information benefits the research.

  -Producing primary data is time consuming; for example conducting an experiment rather than using the data from another researcher.
• Secondary Data


  This is data that has been collected by someone other than the person who is conducting the research. In order words, this is data which already exists before the psychologist begins their research.

  + Inexpensive and easily accessed requiring minimal effort. If secondary data already exists then there may be no need to collect primary data

  -However, there may be substantial variation in the quality and accuracy of secondary data. Information may be out dated or incomplete. The data may not exactly meet the researchers needs.