DATA TYPES

• WHAT IS QUANTITATIVE DATA?

  data in numerical form
• WHAT IS QUALITATIVE DATA?

  descriptive, non-numerical data
• STRENGTHS OF QUANTITATIVE DATA?

  • can produce graphs
  • more likely to be objective
  • easy to analyse using statistics
  • results from different studies can be compared
  • easier to draw conclusion
  • phenomena can be forced to fit a set measure
• STRENGTHS OF QUALITATIVE DATA?

  • represents complexity of human experience
  • can gain deeper access to thoughts and feelings
  • participants have freedom of expression
  • data is rich in detail = high validity
• WEAKNESSES OF QUANTITATIVE DATA?

  • can oversimplify complex behaviour
• WEAKNESSES OF QUALITATIVE DATA?

  • difficult to draw conclusions and detect patterns
  • is often subjective
  • can be influenced by investigator
• WHAT IS PRIMARY DATA?

  data collected by researcher directly from participants
• WHAT IS SECONDARY DATA?

  data already collected previously by another source/ person
• STRENGTHS OF PRIMARY DATA?

  • authentic
  • directly from participants
  • specifically targets information required for research question
• WEAKNESSES OF PRIMARY DATA?

  • requires time and effort
  • for planning, preparing and carrying out
• STRENGTHS OF SECONDARY DATA?

  • inexpensive to obtain
  • requires minimal effort
• WEAKNESSES OF SECONDARY DATA?

  • can be outdated and irrelevant
  • can vary in quality and accuracy