Data Handling

• Quantitative data


  Data in numerical form, such as scores on a test or times taken to do a task
• Quantitative data


  • Easy to display as percentages or averages, and in graphs
  • There will not usually be an explanation for why a particular score was achieved
• Qualitative data


  Data in descriptive (non-numerical) form, such as verbal or written answers to questions, or records of observed behaviour
• Qualitative data


  • Rich in detail
  • There might be an explanation for why the behaviour occurred
  • Hard to collate or put together lots of individual responses, so this data can be difficult to summarise
• Primary data


  Data that has been collected firsthand from the source (participants) by the researcher
• Secondary data


  Data that is already published and simply used by the researcher
• The majority of data collected in psychological research is primary data