Quantitative data

• Data presented in a numerical form, reliable and can be repeated to see trends over time
• Used by positivists = establish trends of behaviour displayed
• Best for large scale research that can be repeated and measured over time with structural explanations, e.g league tables and opinion polls
• Data presented in a written form, more insight (verstehen) into lives of others
• Used my interpretivists = meanings behind behaviour of groups
• Used to to understand people's meanings of behaviour and to access hard-to-reach groups underrepresented in society with social action explanations
• Best for gaining insight into lives and experiences of individuals often ignored by society
• Quantitative methods

  • Experiments
  • Questionnaires
  • Surveys
  • Structured interviews
  • Non-participant structured observations
  • Official stats