Quantitative and Qualitative Data

• Quantitative; Gathers data in a numerical form which can be put into categories, rank order or measured in units of measurement, then used to construct graphs and tables

  Examples include data collected in experiments and closed answer questionnaires
• Quantitative

  +Easier to analyse numerical measurements and make comparisons (easier to draw conclusions)

  +Allow access to greater amount of data, easier to collect from large groups

  -Lowers validity as numbers may over simplify reality, closed answer questionnaires using a scale may not reflect true feelings

  -Aspects of human thoughts/behaviour difficult to operationalise in numerically measurable form
• Qualitative; Data which is descriptive, therefore it is observed or reported

  Examples include case studies and open answer questionnaires
• Qualitative

  +Increases validity, provides detailed information, provides insight into true thoughts/behaviour = meaningful conclusions

  +Represent all aspect of human thought/behaviour

  -Difficult to make comparisons across different ppts as it is uninformed and complex, difficult to analyse

  -Reduce access to greater amount of data, harder and more time consuming to collect data