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Research and Methods - Coggle Diagram
Research and Methods
Secondary Data
Sources include official statistics, diaries, letters, memoirs, emails, TV documentaries and newspapers
Gather the data together and analyse it, but you don't generate data
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Disadvantages
The existing data may not be valid or reliable - you're stuck with the way the research was originally done
Documents may not be authentic, representative or credible
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Your values don't influence the collection of the data (though they might influence your choice of sources), but the researcher's values might have ruined the validity of the original research
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Quantitative Data
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Advantages
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Compare statistics against existing statistics, and look for trends over time and between societies
It's easy to analyse tables, charts and graphs - especially line charts, bar graphs and pie charts
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Allow large samples, so the findings can represent the general population
Disadvantages
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Statistics don't tell you anything about the meanings, motives and reasons behind behaviour - there's not much depth and insight into social interaction
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Qualitative Data
Gives a detailed picture of what people do, think and feel
It's subjective - it involves opinions, meanings and interpretations
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Disadvantages
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Positivists say qualitative results lack credibility because they're subjective and open to interpretation
The researcher can get the wrong end of the stick and misinterpret the group or individual they're studying