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Z: AS Psychology (Methodology) > Types of data > Flashcards

Flashcards in Types of data Deck (20)
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1
Q

What do quantitative methods focus on?

A

Numbers and frequencies

2
Q

What do quantitative methods not focus on?

A

Meaning and experience

3
Q

Give some examples of quantitative methods.

A
  • Experiments
  • Questionnaires
  • Psychometric tests
4
Q

What are quantitative methods known for being/not being?

A

Not valid (not measuring what they claim to measure) but thought to be highly reliable (produce consistent results over time)

5
Q

What do qualitative methods focus on?

A

Meaning and experience

6
Q

What do qualitative methods not focus on?

A

Numbers and frequencies

7
Q

What type of data method focuses on numbers and frequencies?

A

Quantitative

8
Q

What type of data method focuses on meaning and experience?

A

Qualitative

9
Q

What are qualitative methods known for being/not being?

A

Lack of reliability but lots of validity

10
Q

Give 2 strengths of quantitative data.

A
  • More likely to be interpreted objectively so conclusions are more reliable as the interpretation is more consistent/reliable
  • Easy to compare between participants and do stat tests, allowing us to better understand data and identify cause and effect if we find significant differences from stat test results
11
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of quantitative data.

A
  • Does not allow participants to describe why they are as their score suggests, so we can’t explain reasons behind behaviour from a score
  • Participants may feel they are not well represented by their scores, so a lack of validity
12
Q

Give 2 strengths of qualitative data.

A
  • In-depth information on participant’s behaviour, allowing us to identify reasons behind behaviour
  • Participants can answer how they wish and are unrestricted, so more valid results as they can more accurately express themselves
13
Q

Give 2 weaknesses of qualitative data.

A
  • Not easy to make comparisons between participants, so it’s more difficult to establish cause and effect, and in extension difficult to predict future behaviour.
  • More likely to be interpreted subjectively, so conclusions are less reliable as the interpretation is not consistent
14
Q

What are the 3 levels of data?

A
  • Nominal
  • Ordinal
  • Interval
15
Q

What is nominal data?

A

A measure of how many things occur within a category

16
Q

Which type of data gives us the least information (nominal, ordinal, or interval)?

A

Nominal - it tells us how many things occur within a category but not what types - for example you could say in a playroom there are 10 bears and 16 dolls, but not the types of doll, like Barbie doll or china doll.

17
Q

When might you find nominal data?

A

When conducting observations, as categories of behaviour are set out at the start of an observation.

18
Q

What is ordinal data?

A

A measure of each item or person in the data set/putting results into order (e.g. height order from smallest to tallest in the class)

19
Q

Which of the three types of data (nominal, ordinal, or interval) gives the most information?

A

Interval data

20
Q

a) Which of the three types of data (nominal, ordinal, or interval) gives the most information?
b) Which gives the least?

A

a) Interval data

b) Nominal data