Exam summary Block 2 – Research
Contents
Paragraph 7.2 – Secondary analysis, and ppt week 1.............................................................................2
Paragraph 14.3 - Graphs of one variable, and ppt week 2......................................................................4
Paragraph 14.2 - Percentages and frequency tables, and ppt week 3....................................................7
Paragraph 14.5 - Cross tubulations, and ppt week 4............................................................................10
Paragraph 13.2 - Measurement levels of variables, 14.4 - Summary measures, and ppt week 5.........13
13.2 Measurement levels of variables..............................................................................................13
14.4 Summary measures..................................................................................................................14
PPT week 6...........................................................................................................................................19
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,Paragraph 7.2 – Secondary analysis, and ppt week 1
Secondary analysis Research based on existing data, gathered by other people, and amalgamated
in one database.
Pros:
o Saving time.
o Financial advantages.
o Availability of the data.
o Usability.
Cons:
o No control over the data.
o Questionnaires have been designed and completed, dataset already been created.
o Find solutions for any errors that may have occurred during original data collection.
o May have to adjust central question in your secondary analysis to be able to use a
particular dataset.
o Often data has to be thoroughly processed before it can be used for further analysis.
Big data research Secondary analysis of very large datasets.
Meta-analysis Numerical comparison of a large number of files on the same subject, with the
results being re-analysed.
Systematic review Research into original studies on the subject of your research.
Desk research (Secondary research) Research technique that is mainly acquired by sitting at a
desk and collecting data from existing resources.
Uses existing and/or publicly available data to review existing knowledge on particular topic.
Data collected through desk research can be either quantitative or qualitative.
Primary source Document/record which contains first-hand information or original data on topic.
Audio recordings, artwork, diaries, photographs, poetry, speeches, sheet music, interviews,
scientific data, etc.
Secondary source Any published or unpublished work that is one step removed from the original
source. Usually describes, summarises, analyses, evaluates, interprets or reviews primary source
materials.
Textbooks, popular magazines, newspapers, journal articles, book reviews, encyclopaedias,
documentaries, etc.
Quantitative data Can be counted, measured, and expressed using numbers.
Is statistical and is typically structured (objective) in nature. It can be used to develop graphs
and charts.
can be generated through:
o Tests.
o Experiments.
o Surveys.
o Market reports.
o Metrics.
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, Qualitative data Is descriptive.
It can be categorized based on traits and characteristics.
Qualitative data is non-statistical and is typically unstructured or semi-structured (subjective)
in nature. It is categorized based on properties, attributes, labels, and other identifiers.
Can be generated through:
o Texts and documents.
o Audio and video recordings.
o Images and symbols.
o Interview transcripts and focus groups.
o Observations and notes.
- The elements of a STEEP analysis:
Social.
Technological.
Economic.
Environmental.
Political.
Political factors Provide insights into how and to what degree a government intervenes in the
economy or a certain industry.
All the influences that a government can have on the business could be classified here.
This can include:
o Government policy, political stability or instability, corruption, foreign trade policy,
tax policy, labour law, environmental law and trade restrictions.
Government may have a profound impact on a nation’s:
o Education system.
o Infrastructure.
o Health regulations.
These are all factors that can be taken into account when assessing the attractiveness of a
potential market.
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