Different types of research and data types

Some of the different ways to carry out research are to use a questionnaire, interview or experiment. I am going to carry out a questionnaire to find out about the target audience for my music magazine. 

The advantages to using a questionnaire for research are that : - 

• it produces a lot of standardised data.
• the data can be collected quickly and conveniently.
• the data is replicable and is usually easy to analyse.
• there is wide - ranging sample possible.
• new ideas for research can be suggested.
• it is good for research on socially-sensitive matters as people tend to disclose more to this.  

Types of data

Quantitative data : - analysis that uses numerical data. This type of data can be obtained by using closed questions, like, 'Do you like to listen to music?', which would require either a 'yes' or 'no' answer.

Qualitative data : -  analysis that focuses more on words rather than numbers. Open questions would be used to collect this sort of data for example, 'Why do you like pop music?' The answer to this would require personal opinions.