types of data

• What is quantitate data

  Data expressed numerically
• what are strengths to quantitative data?

  • objectively measured
  • easily analysed and converted into graphs/charts
• what are limitations to quantitative data?

  • lacks depth and detail
  • only focuses on what can be mathematically measured
• what is qualitative data?

  data expressed in words
• what are strengths to qualitative data?

  • rich in detail
  • higher validity as participants not limited in their responses
• what are limitations to qualitative data?

  • can be open to bias
  • difficult to analyse and summarise
• what is primary data?

  data collected first hand
• what are strengths to primary data?

  • increased validity as answers research question directly
  • researcher controls data collection process
• what is a limitation to primary data?

  • time consuming
  • maybe expensive
• what is secondary data?

  data collected second hand
• what is a strength to secondary data?

  • often already analysed which reduces time and costs
• what is a limitation to secondary data?

  • does not directly answer research question
  • cannot ensure its free from bias
• what is a meta-analysis?

  combining results from previously published studies asking similar questions
• what are strengths to a meta-analysis?

  • large sample- more powerful than studies with small sample
  • small number of bias wont affect the overall pattern of results
• what are limitations to meta-analysis?

  • researcher has no control over the quality of data
  • file draw problem
• what is file draw problem?

  studies that show statistically significant results are more likely to be published with non-significant results ignored