Data

• Types of Data:

  > quantitative

  > qualitative

  > primary

  > secondary
• Quantitative Data:

  > data that is expressed numerically

  > can be gained from individual scores in experiments or from closed questions in self-report methods

  > the data is open to being analysed statistically and can be easily converted into graphs
• Quantitative Data AO3:

  :) Easier to analyse

  :( Lacks depth
• Qualitative Data:

  > data is expressed in words

  > may take the form of a written description of the thoughts, feelings and opinions of the participants or from open questions in self-report methods

  > concerned with the interpretation of language
• Qualitative Data AO3:

  :) Detail and depth

  :( Harder to analyse
• Types of Quantitative Data - Levels of Measurement:

  > nominal

  > ordinal

  > interval
• Nominal Level Data:

  > data in the form of categories

  > for example, hair colour
• Ordinal Level Data:

  > data is ordered/ranked

  > does not have equal or fixed intervals

  > for example, data based on subjective opinions
• Interval Level Data:

  > data is a standardised and universal measurement

  > for example, seconds or centimetres
• Primary Data:

  > data that is gathered directly from the participants and is specific to the aim of the study

  > gathered by conducting an experiment, questionnaire, interview or observation
• Primary Data AO3:

  :) High validity

  :( Time-consuming
• Secondary Data:

  > data that has been previously collected by a third party, not specifically for the aim of the study, and then used by the researcher

  > for example, government statistics
• Secondary Data AO3:

  :) Easily accessed

  :( Poor quality or inaccurate
• Type of Secondary Data - Meta-analysis:

  > a form of research method that uses secondary data

  > gains data from a large number of studies, which have investigated the same research questions and methods

  > combines this information from the studies to make conclusions about behaviour
• Meta-analysis AO3:

  :) Increases generalisability

  :( Publication bias