Quantitative and Qualitative

• Quantitative Data:

  Expressed numerically.
• Data open to being analysed statistically and can be converted into graphs/charts.
• Examples:

  Score from ppts

  Number of words recalled etc.
• Strengths of Quantitative:

  Relatively easy to analyse, therefore comparisons between groups can be equally drawn.

  Data is more objective.

  Less open to bias.
• Weaknesses to Quantitative:

  Much narrower in meaning, and detail than the qualitative data(no insight.)

  May fail to represent 'realistic'.
• Qualitative Data:

  Expressed in words.
• May take the form of a written description of thoughts, feelings and opinions of ppts/ written accounts of observations.
• Collection are concerned with interpretation of language.
• Examples:

  Interview transcripts

  Diary extracts

  Newspaper articles.
• Strengths of qualitative:

  Much more richness in detail than quantitative data.

  Full report their thoughts, feelings and opinions.

  Greater external validity, more meaningful.
• Weaknesses of qualitative:

  Difficult to analyse

  Patterns and comparisons are hard to identify.

  Subjective interpretations.

  Bias.