Secondary Data Analysis
Secondary Data Analysis
• A type of research in which data collected by others are
reanalyzed.
Primary Data Analysis
• Original analysis of the data collected in a study.
Meta-Analysis
• “Analysis of analysis”
• Quantitative procedure for summarizing or integrating the
findings obtained from a literature.
• Uses the results of individual research projects on the
same topic as data points for a statistical study of the
topic.
Secondary Data Analysis
Advantage
• Saves cost for data collection.
• Saves time required for data collection.
• May obtain data otherwise impossible.
Disadvantage
• Data collected may not be suitable for the researcher’s purposes.
(Validity)
• All necessary data may not be available in existing data.
• Requires time to search for the data set.
• Original data set may not be accurate.
• Existing data sets may contain more variables than what the
researchers need. Need time to sort out the data.
Experience Surveys
• Ask knowledgeable individuals about a particular
research problem
• most are quite willing
“If you wish to know the road up the
mountain, you must ask the man who
goes back and forth on it.”
- Zenrinkusi
Case Study Method
• Intensely investigates one or a few
situations similar to the problem
• Investigate in depth
• Careful study
• May require cooperation
Focus Groups
• A type of group interview.
• Focuses on group interaction on a topic selected
by the researcher.
• Ideally 4- 12 participants.
• The interaction is directed by a moderator who
asks questions and keeps the discussion on the
topic.
Reference:
Dr. David Morgan (Institute on Aging, PSU)
• “Focus groups as qualitative research”(1995). Sage.
• Annual Review of Sociology 22, p. 129-153 (1996)
Projection
• Psychological technique to get answers without
asking a direct question
• Participants project their unconscious beliefs into
other people or objects
• Reduces threat of personal vulnerability
• Consists of a stimulus and a response
Projective Techniques
• Word association tests
• Sentence completion method
• Third-person technique
• Role playing
• T.A.T.
• Picture frustration version of T.A.T.
Word Association
• Subject is presented with a list of words
• Asked to respond with first word that comes to
mind
Word Association Examples
• GREEN • Money
• Lawn
• Eggs and Ham
Word Association Examples
• CHEESE • Kraft
• Cheddar
• Goat
Sentence Completion
People who drink beer are ______________________
A man who drinks light beer is ___________________
Imported beer is most liked by ___________________
A woman will drink beer when____________________
Thematic Apperception Test
T.A.T.