Data and Data Types
Primary Data- First hand data that is collected by the researcher or researchers themselves. (Questionnaires, Interviews and Observations)
Secondary Data- Data from existing sources that was collected by elsewhere and published. (Government, Official Statistics, Documents)
Quantitative Data- When the data collected is in numerical form. This means it can easily be turned in statistics. (Questionnaires, Structured Interviews)
Qualitative Data- Data collected in the form of opinions, meanings and feelings of the participant. It usually requires the researcher to have a sense of empathy and understanding of the participant. (Unstructured Interviews and Personal Documents)
Sample- A smaller group selected on behalf of the population to represent society for the research.
Sampling Frame- The list of people from which a sample for a study is selected.
Variables- Any factor that can change or vary likely to affect the research.
Practical Issues
Practical- The things or ways or means that can affect the research or study published. (Includes time, money, access, difficulty)
Time and Money- How much it will cost to do the research and the time it could take.
Opportunity- Depends on who the research applies who and where samples can be obtained from.
Subject Matter- Depends on the group or subject and what methods are being used to do the study.
Informed Consent- What is needed by the participant before the researcher can use them as part of their sample for the study.
Empathy- Understanding how others are thinking and knowing what they are feeling being able to put ourselves in their shoes.
Ethical Issues
Informed Consent- What is needed by the participant before the researcher can use them as part of their sample for the study.
Confidentiality- Keeping some of the data private and protected so participants can’t be exploited.
Physical Harm- It is important that the research conducted doesn’t harm the researcher or the participants involved physically.
Psychological Harm- The research conducted must keep participants protected from psychological or mental stress.
Withdrawal from study- Means participants can withdraw from the activity or situation if they want.
Debriefing- Participants will be told what the research was about making them comfortable that they participated once the activity or study has been completed.
Deception- Refers to when the researcher or participants in the researcher tell lies or behave differently than they normally would in the given situation for the study.
Theoretical Issues
Generalisation- This means that the researcher can make a general statement about society or the social group studied.
Operationalisation- When the data gathered can be turned into something measurable.
Validity- When the data gathered is accurate and truthful.
Reliability- This means if the research was repeated again, the results are likely to be the same or similar.
Representativity- This means that the amount of participants selected can vouch for society as a whole because they represent it for the research.
Positivist- Researchers who favour quantitative methods believing it is more reliable and thus more scientific. (Durkhiem)
Interpretivists- Researchers who favour qualitative methods as they believe this kind of data is more accurate and truthful ignoring social constructs and labels in society. (Aktinson)
