Primary Sources
Primary sources are data collected by the researchers themselves. They can be qualitative or quantitative. Researchers always need to check for reliability, validity and representativeness.
Primary data
- Primary sources are data collected by the researchers themselves.
- They can be qualitative or quantitative.
- Researchers always need to check for reliability, validity and representativeness.
Reliability
- Reliability: i.e whether they would produce the same results if another researcher did the same study.
- A method that produces quantitative data is likely to be reliable but lack validity.
- Qualitative methods may be seen as more appropriate to ensure validity.
Validity
- Validity: i.e. whether the data are depicting the real world.
- Qualitative research methods are usually valid because they can give a better idea of what is happening in the world and a more in-depth picture of social behaviour.
Representativeness
- Representativeness: a study that accurately represents the wider population/ typical of the population.
- Quantitative methods that produce more reliable data are seen as appropriate in studies that need to be large-scale.
- Qualitative methods are seen as better if the research is going to include a small number of people.
