Types of data

• Primary

  Data that has been collected by the researcher, solely for the purpose of their investigation

  Strengths:

  • gathered first hand - more accurate/specific
  • researcher has full control over how data is collected

  Weaknesses:

  • limited to time, place, number of participants
  • expensive to obtain
• Secondary

  Information someone else has collected specific to that researcher's needs

  Strengths:

  • can come from different sources - gives more range and detail
  • more available/accessible

  Weaknesses:

  • may not give exact answers that researcher requires
  • biased
• Qualitative

  Non-numerical language based data collected through interviews/open questions - can be behavioural observations, personal experiences

  Strengths:

  • allows more depth of analysis
  • leads to more meaningful conclusions about PP's views

  Weaknesses:

  • difficult to draw comparison between groups
  • difficult to reach reliable conclusion
  • cannot replicate to achieve same data - unreliable
• Quantitative

  Numerical data that can be statistically analysed - can be through experiments, correlations

  Strengths:

  • easy to analyse and compare
  • specific and consistent data - reliable

  Weaknesses:

  • cannot explain complex issues
  • reductionist - simplifies too much