Types of data

• Qualitative data

  Data that is expressed in words and non-numerical (can be converted to numbers for analysis purposes).
• Quantitative data

  Data that can be counted, usually given as numbers.
• Primary data

  Information obtained first-hand by a researcher for the purposes of a research project. Such data is often gathered directly from pps as part of an experiment, self-report or observation.
• Secondary data

  Information already previously gathered by someone else and so pre-dates the current research project. Such data might include the work other psychologists/government statistics.
• Meta-analysis

  Process of combining findings from a number of studies on a particular topic. The aim is to produce an overall statistical conclusion based on a range of studies. It should not be confused with a review where a number of studies are compared and discussed.