Chapter 1: Data analysis

A theory is different from a hypothesis because

• a theory has been proved to be 100% true.

• a theory has a lot of supporting evidence.

• a theory is less certain than a hypothesis.

• when a theory is widely accepted, it becomes a hypothesis.

Qualitative research

• yields high-quality data.

• does not use people’s opinions and feelings.

• may often use surveys and interviews.

• always uses closed questions.

Data is related to information in that

• information is processed from data.

• data is processed from information.

• data is more important than information.

• data is more accurate than information.

Primary data is different to secondary data because primary data

• is gathered before secondary data is collected.

• has been processed by other people.

• is much easier to collect.

• is often more detailed and in-depth.

Survey data is easier to work with than interview data because

A closed question

• A is asked during a confidential interview.

• B tests whether the respondent is telling the truth.

• C has a limited range of possible replies.

• D does not get an answer.

Observation is useful because

• it is more interesting than numerical data.

• researchers can easily encode observational data.

• researchers can interact with the subjects.

• it allows researchers to study people behaving naturally in their normal environment.

When collecting data about women’s opinions of a new car, any data collected from men would be

• irrelevant.

• inaccurate.

• biased.

• unreliable.

9 Ajax Market Research interviews 1000 elderly people about whether pensions should be increased or not. The collected data might be

• A reliable because elderly people know about pensions.

• B biased because the elderly people have a vested interest.

• C reliable because it’s primary data.

• D unreliable because it’s such a small sample size.

As a source of information, the internet

• is always trustworthy because people who post the information are intelligent.

• must never be trusted.

• should not be trusted except for .gov and .edu domains.

• is sometimes trustworthy, depending on who provides the information.