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
• How can quantitative data be described?

  With descriptive statistics like averages
• What is qualitative data?

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

  It can be coded into quantitative data
• What types of studies typically collect quantitative data?

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

  Interviews, observations, and case studies
• 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 by the researcher
• What famous study is used to illustrate the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?

  Milgram's study
• What did Milgram's quantitative findings show?

  Participants delivered strong electric shocks
• How did qualitative data provide context in Milgram's study?

  It showed participants' emotional difficulty
• What is primary data?

  Data collected by the researcher themselves
• 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 and ready to analyze
• Why is primary data considered more valid?

  It is collected to answer specific research questions
• What is a 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
• Why are meta-analysis results considered more trustworthy?

  They look at overall patterns from multiple studies
• What is a disadvantage of meta-analysis?

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

  Researchers may cherry-pick studies to include
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of meta-analysis?

  Strengths:

  • Combines results from multiple studies
  • Larger participant sample increases power
  • Identifies overall patterns

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Relies on secondary data
  • Studies may not be directly comparable
  • Potential for researcher bias in study selection
• What is the file drawer problem in research?

  Negative results may remain unpublished
• What is a potential issue with the validity of meta-analysis results?

  They may not reflect true behavior
• What is the role of patrons in supporting psychboost?

  They help fund the development of resources
• What can patrons at the neuron level access?

  Bonus resources and tutorial videos
• What is the purpose of the tutorial videos mentioned?

  To provide exam tips and worked examples
• What is the time frame of the tutorial videos mentioned?

  2017 to 2020
• What is the main focus of the research methods unit?

  To teach research methods in psychology
• What is the significance of the support from patrons?

  It allows the author to teach part-time