Types of Data: Quantitative & Qualitative Data (OCR GCSE Psychology): Revision Note

Quantitative data is numerical data — information that can be counted or measured, e.g.

• 53 out of 125 participants answered “yes” to a question

• 89% of participants were slower in Condition A

• The study found a correlation coefficient of –0.4

Quantitative data can come in the form of averages, percentages or fractions and be presented as:

• tables

• graphs

• charts

Quantitative data can be statistically analysed using descriptive statistics such as the:

• mean

• mode

• median

• range

Research methods that produce quantitative data include:

• experiments – e.g. scores on a memory test in different conditions

• observations – e.g. tally charts recording the frequency of specific behaviours

• correlations – e.g. a correlation coefficient of +0.7

• questionnaires or surveys – especially those using closed questions or rating scales

Quantitative data is easy to analyse and compare to find patterns and trends

Data collection methods are often standardised (e.g. structured questionnaires or lab experiments), which increases reliability

Quantitative data can show what is happening but not why, meaning it lacks depth and explanatory power

It can oversimplify complex human behaviour and experiences, missing important qualitative details such as emotions or motivations

Qualitative data is descriptive data expressed in words or images rather than numbers, e.g.,

• Thoughts and feelings recorded in a diary or journal

• Beliefs, attitudes, and ideas discussed during an interview

• A painting or drawing created to express emotions such as anxiety or conflict

• A focus group discussion on topics such as the impact of social media on body image

Qualitative data is rich and insightful, as it draws from personal experience and subjective meaning (i.e. what is real and of relevance to the individual)

Qualitative data is high in validity as it is ‘true’ to what it is measuring, i.e., real experience in real settings

Qualitative data lacks reliability due to its subjective nature, e.g., an unstructured interview cannot be fully replicated

Qualitative research is extremely time-consuming to analyse due to the amount of data collected