Research source
Is this a primary or secondary source?
Does this give quantitative or qualitative data?
Purpose of source; eg extract information, interpret information, analyse data, gather data/statistics/measurements
Advantages
Disadvantages
Websites
Websites are a secondary source of information because the research has already been carried out by someone else and websites are there for people to go and find the information out
Websites can give both quantitative and qualitative information, for people to research, websites provide people with information that is factual including numbers, statistics etc. It also provides qualitative information such as emotions, feelings etc.
There are many advantages of looking for research on the internet such as there is a wide range of different websites to find information and there are normally information is simple to find.
The internet is easy to access and often simple to use.
When researching on the internet it usually doesn’t take up much time.
The information on the internet isn’t always accurate and information can be changed on sites such as wikapida.
Not everyone has access to the internet or software to use the internet on such as a laptop.
Questionnaires
Questionnaires are a primary source of information as when your taking out a questionnaire your doing it too find out new information.
A questionnaire can have both quantitative and qualitative depending on the questions that are being asked for example if you were asking a questions about relationships and emotions this would be qualitative, or if you was asking questions about waiting times this would be quantitative because it involves numbers
The advantage of questionnaires are:
The information is factual.
Questionnaires are usually cost effective.
Can be used to compare other research.
Questionnaires can be collected by a large number of people in short amount of time. The disadvantages are:
Questionnaires can lack validity as you can not always tell if the person asking he questions is being completely truthful or how much thought a person is putting into answering the questions.
Different people may perceive/ red into the questions in a different way.
Interviews include structured and unstructured
Scientific experiments
Scientific experiments are a primary use of information because when taking out a scientific experiment it is often to find out new information, such as finding a cure for cancer
Scientific experiments are quantitative data because it often involves numbers and making sure that everything is correct
The advantages of scientific experiments are
Scientific experiments are usually accurate evidence.
Scientific evidence can usually find very important things out e.g. A cure for a life threatening illness such as cancer.
The disadvantages are:
Can usually cost a lot of money and time.
Can be very expensive.
Can be unethical e.g. testing on animals.
Journals
Journels are usually quantitative data as science reports are usually published in journels.
Observations; include formal and informal
Both formal and informal observations are a primary source of information, as if you are observing someone you are doing it too find out
