Quantitative Vs. Qualitative data

QUANTITATIVE Vs. QUALITATIVE DATA (i) In the study by Gould no data was collected, his study was an evaluation of Yerkes' IQ test. Yerkes' IQ test was used to collect quantitative data, which was used to assess the intelligence of each army recruit in order to give each man a suitable position in the army. There were three tests, an army alpha test for literate recruits, an army beta test, which was a pictorial exam for illiterate recruits and those who failed the alpha test and finally an individual exam for those who failed the beta test. Each army recruit was given a grade from E- to A+ based on his score. Yerkes' IQ test was later used to grade entire nations intelligence based on the IQ scores of immigrants. Hraba & Grant's study was investigating racial preference and identification. They too collected quantitative data. They used a set of four dolls, two black and two white. The subjects were 160 children from Lincoln, Nebraska, aged between four and eight. They were asked eight questions about the dolls, which were intended to indicate racial preference and identification e.g. 'give me the doll that looks nice'. They then recorded the dolls chosen in total for each question and the race of the child (89 were black, 71 white). They compared this data to Clark & Clark's to see how changes in societies attitudes affects children's racial identity and

  • Word count: 1535
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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Quantitative and qualitative economic data

A level Essay Q5 O/N 07 The chairman of a national bank stated "It is important to rely on a range of qualitative and quantitative data to assess the economic health of the nation" Explain what data might be employed in this assessment and discuss how useful it is likely to be (25) Quantitative data is the use of numerical statistics to describe economic phenomena. It would use numbers to show trends, patterns and analysis of the economic health of the nation. Qualitative data would be data that relied on other factors or descriptors to describe the trends, patterns and analysis of the economic health of the nation. The first thing to state is that it is highly unlikely that the there would be simply quantitative data or qualitative data. The likelihood is that both data would be used together and the range of this qualitative and quantitative data would increase the clarity of the economic assessment of the nation. The most important data to be measured would be that which measured the standard of living in a country. Here it is beneficial to use a range of quantitative as well as qualitative data. This is because even though GDP or GNP may measure an economies output or income levels it does not measure the standard of living within the economy or the disparities between rich and poor. Economic growth does not necessarily mean improvements in the standard of

  • Word count: 949
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Economics
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strength and limitations of quantitative and qualitative data

Lekha Ravichandran Class #3 2/19/09 Discuss the strength and limitations of quantitative and qualitative data in supporting knowledge claims in the human sciences and at least one other area of knowledge. Human sciences (such as psychology, economics, anthropology, sociology, etc.) attempt to understand human behavior and seek to learn more about human nature. But our behaviors are often times unpredictable and tricky to interpret due to our language, reason, free will, and creativity. So to what extent can we apply scientific principles to discover more about human actions? How accurate are the conclusions we make based on the data we collect? What factors might affect the consistency of our data? We must ask ourselves and consider these questions when striving to determine the degree to which our quantitative and qualitative data can be deemed reliable. There are many limitations involved when trying to study humans since we are complex, self-conscious beings. There is no absolute certainty that can be achieved when trying to reach conclusions. Deciding upon the laws that we believe to govern our actions has proven to be complex and troublesome. Despite all these issues, and although many people might argue in defense of free-will, experience and other practices have shown us that many of our actions are in fact, very predictable. Still, I believe that when it comes to

  • Word count: 1469
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Theory of Knowledge
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Assess the relative advantages of Quantitative research data and Qualitative

3th October Mr Turner Assess the relative advantages of Quantitative research data and Qualitative Quantitative research data is a formal, objective, systematic process in which numerical data is utilised to obtain information around the world. Quantitative research is all about quantifying the relationships between variables such as height, weight. It is obtained by such things as questionnaires, official statistics and planned interviews and then from the numerical data we can identify trends and correlations and get an idea of the attitudes of large numbers of people which can be very helpful. It is obtained mostly in the form of numbers. They were originally developed in the natural sciences to study natural phenomena. Qualitative research data is all types of data that are not in the form of numbers including written sources, pictures, films, open-ended questions and unstructured interviews. Qualitative data can often provide a richer and more in-depth picture of social life. It was developed in the social sciences to enable researchers to study social and cultural phenomena. Qualitative research uses unreconstructed logic to get at what is really real: the quality, meaning, context, or image of reality in what people actually do, not what they say they do. The advantages of a questionnaire which produces quantitative data are you do not have to pay

  • Word count: 1630
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Computer Science
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Qualitative and Quantitative methods of gathering data an overview.

A. Is it true that structured methods (postal questionnaires, structured interveiws and the statistical analysis of secondary data which produces quantitative data) is it true that structured methods are low in "validity" and high in reliability and representativeness? B. Is it true that unstructured methods (participant observation and unstuctured interveiws which produce qualitative data) are not only low in reliability and representativeness but also low in validity as well? Using scientific sampling procedures we can see that structured methods are high in representativeness. An example of this is stratified sampling the sample is stratified according to the characteristics of the population e.g it should contain 52% women 48% men to refect the gender composition of the UK. Random selection is then done to ensure that there is no bias in the picking of the actual sample. Also sociologists sometimes use non-representative sampling such as studying a criminal group. Scientific sampling is one way in which sociological researchers follow the logic of the experiment and control he variables of what they are studying. Structured methods are reliable as researchers insure that every interveiw or questionnaire is exactly the same, this allows the answers to be compaired accuratly. As the data is reliable another researcher can do a follow up study and come to the exact same

  • Word count: 839
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Essay Tips For - EXAMINE THE REASONS WHY POSITIVISTS PREFER QUANTITATIVE DATA WHILE INTERPRETIVISTS PREFER QUALITATIVE DATA

EXAMINE THE REASONS WHY POSITIVISTS PREFER QUANTITATIVE DATA WHILE INTERPRETIVISTS PREFER QUALITATIVE DATA. ( 20 marks) 0 marks A01 0 marks A02 Can begin by briefly defining quantitative and qualitative data and giving one or two examples of methods that produce each type of data. Explain the connections between quantitative data and the positivists’ scientific approach, using issues such as correlation, hypothesis testing, generalisations and cause and effect statements or scientific laws. Relate these to the key concepts of reliability and representativeness, explaining why methods that produce quantitative data may also produce reliable and representative data. Likewise, explain the links between qualitative data and interpretivism’s goal of understanding actors’ subjective meanings, and link this to the key interpretivist concept of validity. You can score evaluation marks by pointing out that practical issues such as the preferences of funding bodies for quantitative data play a part, as do ethical considerations and the nature of the topic being studied. Phrases which might help you in the essay: Positivists emphasize the importance of representativeness, because they wish to discover general patterns and make general cause-and-effect statements about social behaviour. For a method to be reliable, it must be replicable i.e. exactly repeatable to obtain

  • Word count: 603
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Examine the weakness of different types of documents used in a sociological research. Examine why positivist prefer quantitative data whilst interpretivists prefer qualitative data.

a. Examine the weakness of different types of documents used in a sociological research. (20 marks) Documents are secondary data developed by individuals, groups, and organisations, in which sociologist may find particularly advantageous in their research. Taking that into account, there are two types of documents both personal and public. Public documents are items such as letters, diaries, autobiographies, notes and photo collections. Personal documents may be noted as unrepresentative, because some groups are unlikely to produce personal documents such as diaries and letters, because they have got limited leisure. Therefore, their views may not be represented, whilst those with the time and literacy skills may be overrepresented. When it comes to examining the personal documents, it somehow lacks the authenticity. There may be possibly missing pages, or someone must have reproduced another copy, making it seem fake. For example, there was claim that Hitler diaries were fakes. Personal documents may also potentially lack the credibility. Documents may be difficult to believe, when considering the author's sincerity. For example, politicians may write diaries that inflate the own importance. The availability of personal documents may be difficult for researchers to gain access to. For example, private documents such as diaries are becoming less available sociologist.

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  • Word count: 865
  • Level: AS and A Level
  • Subject: Sociology
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Qualitative Risk Analysis

Qualitative Risk Analysis Qualitative risk analysis is the process of performing a qualitative analysis of identified risks. This process is intended to prioritize risks according to their potential effect on business objectives. Qualitative risk analysis is one way of determining the importance of addressing specific risks and guides risk response measures. The time-criticality of risk-related actions may magnify the importance of a risk. An evaluation of the quality of the available information also helps modify the assessment of the risk. Qualitative risk Analysis requires that the probability and impact of the risks be estimated using qualitative analysis methods and tools. Using these tools helps correct biases that are often present in a business plan. Qualitative risk analysis should be revisited during the business's life cycle to stay current with changes in business risks. This process can lead to further analysis in quantitative risk analysis or directly to risk response planning . > Inputs to Qualitative Risk Analysis o Risk management plan. o Identified risks. Risks discovered during the risk identification process are evaluated along with their potential impacts on the business. o Business status. The uncertainty of a risk often depends on the business's progress through its life cycle. Early in the business many risks have not surfaced, the design for

  • Word count: 1114
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Mathematical and Computer Sciences
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Qualitative Management Research.

Qualitative Management Research Qualitative management research is an often uncertain and emergent undertaking which is just as complex as management it self. Accordingly, the inexperienced researcher needs some reference points to help them balance practical worth with academic rigor. It can be claimed that recent works have taken a qualitative and ethnographic approach, using extensive interviewing and observation, to the study of management. These examples will all be more or less different, and some might say they are unique. What all of these examples and stories have in common is that they attempt to approach the complexity of a particular entrepreneurial setting as an ongoing process, as a process of becoming. Every managerial attempt is written on a daily basis, with many actors on multiple scenes simultaneously searching to move existing realities through creative actions into new worlds. Management is a creative process enacted through everyday practices: It is never done, and always going on, a journey more with surprises than with predictable patterns. As such, every managerial endeavor follows and writes its own story. This leaves management as a young academic discipline with the huge task of deciding how to "organize" its knowledge of these "local complexities." The question is how to develop qualitative research activities in terms of paradigmatic

  • Word count: 3259
  • Level: University Degree
  • Subject: Business and Administrative studies
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Discuss the strengths and limitations of quantitative and qualitative data in supporting knowledge claims in the human sciences.

T.O.K human sciences essay. Human sciences (such as psychology, economics, anthropology, sociology, etc.) attempt to understand human behavior and learn more about human nature but our behaviors are often unpredictable and difficult to interpret due to our language, reason, and creativity. So how can we expect to apply scientific principles to discover more about human actions? Also how accurate can we say our conclusions are which we make based upon the data we collect? To endeavor into the understanding of the human mind we must ask these questions which relate to our understanding of the degree at which quantitative and qualitative data can be deemed reliable. Quantitative data is defined as data which is expressed in a numerical form and traditionally this data has been considered more trust worthy because it seems to supply us with hard facts and values which we are easily able to interpret. Within the human sciences quantitative data has it's limits, this is because of the nature of humans being so unpredictable and therefore very difficult to place exact theories upon. The exception of this is of course Economics, in Economics quantitative data is recorded because it is commonly believed that within this field we act rationally. Therefore we are able to place expectations using the quantitative data recorded from experiments. If these assumptions that have been made

  • Word count: 561
  • Level: International Baccalaureate
  • Subject: Theory of Knowledge
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