research methods

Question 1

what is validity?

Answer 1

how truthful or accurate the data is

Question 2

what is reliability?

Answer 2

whether a study can be repeated to get the same results

Question 3

what is representativeness?

Answer 3

whether the sample reflects the wider population

Question 4

what is objectivity?

Answer 4

researcher remains unbiased and detached

Question 5

what is quantitative data?

Answer 5

numerical data (statistics, graphs, surveys)

Question 6

strength of quantitive data?

Answer 6

reliable and easy to compare

Question 7

weakness of quantitive data

Answer 7

low validity - lacks depths and meaning

Question 8

what is qualitative data?

Answer 8

non-numerical data (opinions, interviews, observations)

Question 9

strength of qualitative data

Answer 9

high validity, very detailed insight

Question 10

weakness of qualitative data

Answer 10

hard to replicate and often small samples

Question 11

what is primary data?

Answer 11

data collected first hand by the researcher

Question 12

strength of primary data

Answer 12

specific to research aims and often high validity

Question 13

weakness of primary data

Answer 13

time consuming and expensive

Question 14

what is secondary data?

Answer 14

data collected by others (e.g. official statistics)

Question 15

strength of secondary data

Answer 15

cheap, quick, large scale

Question 16

weakness of secondary data

Answer 16

may be outdated and not fit for the research aim