Types of Data

Types of Data

1. Qualitative Data = concerned with describing meaning rather than with drawing statistical inferences. (e.g. case studies and interviews)

   • Gives in depth into such things as reasons for behaviour
     • Generated in natural social contexts so actions are more meaningful
       • Ps can express themselves on their terms, this subjectivity should protect the validity of the data as the investigation is not imposing their interpretation on it
   • Not easy to analyse ('not scientific')
     • Difficult to draw comparisons between Ps
       • Usually involves personal accounts which may be biased and possibly invalid due to many factors
         • Time-consuming

2. Quantitative Data = focus on numbers and frequencies (e.g. experiments, questionnaires and psychometric tests). Associated with scientific and experimental approach

   • Objective, doesn't require the same degree of interpretation
     • Enables us to identify patterns and trends quickly, i.e. in scattergrams
       • Can analyse the data in standardised ways
   • Often lacks detail, reduces some aspects of human behaviour down to numbers
     • Tells us what but not WHY

3. Primary Data = first-hand data, straight from the source (e.g. experiments, correlations, observations, case studies or self-report methods)

4. Secondary Data = data that's not collected by the researcher themselves (e.g. diaries, official statistics, letters & media reports)