Types of Data
Sociology: AQA A Level, topic 1.2.1
Quantitative and Qualitative Methods of Research
Social research can be conducted for a number of purposes, and it is these reasons that influence the choice of methods used.
Type of research
- Social research can be conducted for a number of purposes and these reasons influence the choice of methods used.
- Some methods require the use of experiments to test a hypothesis (resulting in quantitative data) while those used to develop new theories often involve researchers observing social life (where the data is usually qualitative).
- Researchers may also use primary or secondary data, or a combination of the two.
Methodology
- Methodology refers to the methods researchers use to collect data, as well as the philosophy underlying the production of sociological data.
Quantitative data
- Quantitative data consists of data in numerical form.
- For example, the number of females and males passing an exam.
Qualitative data
- Qualitative data is any data that is not numerical.
- Such as written description (filed notes), diary entries, photographs, recorded music or radio programmes.
Primary sources
- Qualitative and quantitative data can both be gathered from primary and secondary sources.
- Primary sources are those sources of data that are produced directly by a sociologist conducting research.
- Such as the results of experiments or the answers obtained from questionnaires and interviews.
Secondary sources
- Secondary sources consist of existing data produced by someone else.
- For example government statistics, or the results of an experiment conducted by another researcher.
Methodological Pluralism and Triangulation
In the real world, many researchers will use a range of methods to collect different types of data, regardless of whether they are qualitative or quantitative.
Methodological pluralism
- Methodological pluralism refers to the use of a variety of methods and types of data in a single research study.
Triangulation
- Triangulation refers to the use of a variety of methods and different types of data to cross-check that the results obtained by one particular method are valid, and reliable.
- This might include using qualitative unstructured interviews to check against responses to a quantitative survey.
Test yourself on Types of Data
Which of the following would be quantitative data?
Which of the following would be primary data?
Which term refers to the cross-checking of results obtained by one particular method within a research study?