Using existing data
Which of the following is not a disadvantage of using secondary analysis?
The researcher’s lack of familiarity with the data
It is a relatively expensive and time consuming process
Hierarchical datasets can be very confusing
The researcher has no control over the quality of the data
It is a relatively expensive and time consuming process
The disadvantages of secondary analysis stem from the researcher’s lack of direct involvement in the process of data collection, leading to unfamiliarity with the data. The process of getting to know the range of variables in the study and the ways in which they were coded is time-consuming. Sometimes the data-sets are quite complex, involving responses given at different ‘hierarchical’ levels – data may have been gathered at individual as well as at household level, for example. A further disadvantage lies in the quality of the original data. An examination of disclaimers given about the research should be taken into account. It should be clear by now that secondary analysis really does take a lot of time. Relatively speaking, however, it takes less time than gathering primary data and it is definitely kinder to your bank balance.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 312,313
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 312,313
It is a relatively expensive and time consuming process The disadvantages of secondary analysis stem from the researcher’s lack of direct involvement in the process of data collection, leading to unfamiliarity with the data. The process of getting to know the range of variables in the study and the ways in which they were coded is time-consuming. Sometimes the data-sets are quite complex, involving responses given at different ‘hierarchical’ levels – data may have been gathered at individual as well as at household level, for example. A further disadvantage lies in the quality of the original data. An examination of disclaimers given about the research should be taken into account. It should be clear by now that secondary analysis really does take a lot of time. Relatively speaking, however, it takes less time than gathering primary data and it is definitely kinder to your bank balance.
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 312,313
Reference: Bryman: Social Research Methods: 5th Edition Page(s) 312,313
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The large samples used in national social surveys enable new researchers to:A. Avoid using probability sampling
B. Identify any bias in the question wording
C. Evaluate the inter-coder reliability of the data
D. Conduct subgroup analysis
Which of the following provides official statistics that could be analysed as secondary data?
A. Local Government Survey (LGS)
B. Expenditure and Food Survey (EFS)
C. Dwelling and Furnishings Survey (DFS)
D. Rowing and Oars Survey (ROS)
The term “secondary analysis” refers to the technique of:
A. Conducting a study of seconds, minutes and other measures of time
B. Analysing your own data in two different ways
C. Analysing existing data that has been collected by another person or organization
D. Working part time on a project alongside other responsibilities
Why might secondary analysis be a particularly useful method for students?
A. It is relatively easy to do
B. It saves time and money
C. It does not require any knowledge of statistics
D. It only requires a half-hearted effort
Studying the official crime rate may provide unreliable data because:
A. Categories of criminal behaviour change over time
B. There is a “dark figure” of unreported and unrecorded crime
C. Police use their discretion to investigate some crimes and not others
D. All of the above
What is one of the advantages that official statistics have over structured interview data?
A. The researcher can conduct natural experiments in the field
B. They are completely objective and reliable
C. They have greater measurement validity
D. They allow the researcher to identify social trends over time
Which of the following is not an advantage of secondary analysis?
A. It immerses the researcher in the field they are studying
B. It tends to be based on high quality data
C. It provides an opportunity for longitudinal analysis
D. It allows you to study patterns and social trends over time
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