Types of data

• What are the types of data? Primary. secondary. quantitative. qualitative. meta-analysis.
• What is primary data? Refers to original data that has been collected specifically for the purpose of the investigation. For example, observations, questionnaires, interviews or conducting experiments.
• Evaluation of primary data: Gains specifically targeted information that the researcher requires (positive). Extremely time-consuming and costly (negative).
• What is secondary data? Pre existing data gathered by someone else other than the person conducting the research. For example, a journal article, a book, websites, and government/ population records.
• Evaluation of secondary data: Inexpensive and fairly accessible (positive). Quality and accuracy of the data is affected (negative). Content of data may not match the researcher's needs (negative).
• What is qualitative data? Data expressed through words. May take the form of written thoughts, feelings or opinions of participants. For example, an extract from a diary or transcript from an interview.
• Evaluation of qualitative data: In depth, rich data (positive). Difficult to analyse (negative). Subjective (positive).
• What is quantitative data? Data expressed numerically. Its open to being analysed statistically. For example, number of words a person was able to recall in a memory experiment.
• Evaluation of quantitative data: Objective (positive). Easily comparable interpretation (negative). Much narrower scope of view (negative).
• What is meta analysis? Data gathered from a large number of studies which includes the same research methods and questions. You can analyse this qualitatively (through discussion) or quantitatively (calculate effect size).
• Evaluation of meta-analysis: Can be generalised to a large population (positive). Publication bias - some studies left out because the findings don't align with their research (negative).