Types of data

• what is quantitative data?

  • Data that focusses on numbers and frequencies which can be counted.
  • E.g. Experiments, questionnaires and psychometric tests.
  • expressed numerically
  • easily comparable data
  • data can go through statistical tests to see if they are significant
• what is qualitative data?

  • Data that describes meaning and experiences which is expressed in words
  • E.g. Case studies, interviews and observations (although observations can produce quantitative data as well)
  • to understand phenomena from the point of view of an individual
• how can qualitative data be converted into quantitative?

  • unstructured interviews produce qualitative data such as transcripts can be analysed for themes and every time this theme is identified, a tally is recorded.
• what is primary data?

  • data is gathered directly from participants using one or more methods
  • information that has been obtained first-hand by the researcher
  • this data is also known as field research
• what is secondary data?

  • information that has already been collected by previous researchers
  • this data has already been subject to statistical testing
  • this is also known as ‘desk research’