Types Of Data

• What do psychologists depend on to inform their understanding of human behavior?

  A range of data
• What forms can data take in psychological research?

  Verbal descriptions or numerical statistics
• What are the two main types of data discussed?

  Quantitative and qualitative data
• What is quantitative data?

  Data in the form of numbers
• What does the term "quantity" refer to in quantitative data?

  The number or amount of something
• How can reaction times be categorized in data collection?

  As quantitative data
• What is qualitative data?

  Data in the form of words
• How can qualitative data be transformed into quantitative data?

  By coding and tallying observations
• What types of studies typically collect quantitative data?

  Experiments and closed question questionnaires
• What types of studies typically collect qualitative data?

  Interviews and open question questionnaires
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative and qualitative data?

  Strengths of quantitative data:

  • Objectively measured
  • Less chance of bias
  • Easy to summarize

  
  

  Weaknesses of quantitative data:

  • Lacks depth and detail
  • Focuses on measurable features

  
  

  Strengths of qualitative data:

  • Richer detail
  • More valid reflection of experience

  
  

  Weaknesses of qualitative data:

  • Subjective interpretation
  • Potential for bias
• What is a key advantage of quantitative data in research?

  It is seen as objectively measured
• What is a key disadvantage of qualitative data?

  It is open to interpretation
• How does Milgram's study illustrate the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

  Quantitative shows shock levels, qualitative shows emotions
• What is primary data?

  Data collected by the researcher
• What are common methods to collect primary data?

  Experiments, observations, interviews, questionnaires
• What is secondary data?

  Data previously collected and published
• What is a downside of collecting primary data?

  It requires significant time and cost
• What is an advantage of secondary data?

  It is often freely accessible
• Why is primary data considered more valid than secondary data?

  It is collected to meet specific research needs
• What is meta-analysis?

  A process that combines results from multiple studies
• What is a key advantage of conducting a meta-analysis?

  It provides a larger combined participant sample
• How does meta-analysis improve the trustworthiness of research findings?

  It looks at patterns across multiple studies
• What is a disadvantage of meta-analysis?

  Data may not be directly comparable
• What is a potential bias in conducting a meta-analysis?

  Researchers may cherry-pick studies
• What is the file drawer problem in research?

  Negative results may remain unpublished