Primary And Secondary Sources Of Reading/ Data

Front 1

What is the difference between a primary and secondary source of reading ?

Back 1

A primary source of reading is a source constructed by someone who was actually there at the time of the event studied

A secondary source is a source of information about an event which has been compiled after the event took place, by an author who was not present.

Front 2

Name three advantages of secondary sources.

Back 2

Often written with the reader in mind

Less responsibility to extract the important information from the primary text. Already laid out.

Easy to access.

Front 3

Name 2 advantages of Primary sources.

Back 3

First hand account.

Can provide insight into the emotional state of the author and thus the general feeling at the time.

Front 4

What is the difference between primary and secondary sources of data?

Back 4

A primary source of data is collected by the researcher.

A secondary source of data has been collected by someone else but referred to in your research.

Front 5

Give one advantage of primary data

Back 5

You have collected it yourself so it is tailored to your experiment. You will have confidence in it.

Front 6

Give one disadvantage of primary data.

Back 6

May not have used good methods when collecting it.

Front 7

Give one advantage of secondary data

Back 7

It saves time and you can consult lots of sources to verify the accuracy of the sources you are using.

Front 8

Describe the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods. Give examples of how data is collected for these methods.

Back 8

The research is categorised as quantitative when the research aims to produce numerical results from the data. Experiments, surveys, observations are used.

The research is categorised as qualitative when the researcher is trying to say why a behaviour occurs. The information is detailed and descriptive. Observations, case studies, interviews and questionnaires which use open questions.

Front 9

Provide one advantage and disadvantage of quantitative methods.

Back 9

Easy to collect and analyse

But less detailed and not much of a human perspective

Front 10

Provide one advantage and one disadvantage of qualitative methods.

Back 10

More detailed - human approach

Can be confusing for the participant as people can interpret questions differently.

Front 11

Give a definition of non-participant observation.

Is it qualitative or quantitative?

Is it primary or secondary?

Back 11

This is when the researcher does not have contact with the participant.

It is qualitative.

It is primary.

Front 12

Give an advantage and disadvantage of non-participant observation.

Back 12

Advantage: Helps avoid biased observations as people are less likely to alter their behaviour

Disadvantage: Less of an insight into the individuals being studied.