Qualitative vs Quantitative data

• Qualitative Data


  non-numerical data, in narrative form e.g. transcript of an interview

  Advantage: detailed, in depth

  Disadvantage: subjective - hard to analyse
• Quantitative Data


  numerical data e.g speed of response in milliseconds

  Advantage: objective - as it's a number

  Disadvantage: not detailed
• Research methods to collect data

  Qualitative

  interview

  case studies

  Quantitative

  observations
• Primary Data


  collected first-hand experience, so gathered for purpose of addressing the specific research hypotheses

  collected directly and hasn't been altered in any way by other researchers

  e.g. researchers interested in the effects of workplace stress would ask employees themselves
• Secondary Data


  data has already been published in some form

  may be government reports, websites and books

  data is already undergone some form of interpretation by other researchers
• Meta-analysis


  research method where, rather than conducting new research, primary data from other studies is re-analysed

  method uses secondary research and enables many studies to be combined into a single study