3. Primary Data

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this lecture, we think about primary data, focusing in particular on: (i) defining primary data as that which has been collected by the current researcher; (ii) methods of collection, including experiments, surveys and natural observations; (iii) examples of primary data in the context of the impact of drinking coffee on exam performance and considering the relationship between certain psychological variables and serial killing; (iv) key advantages of primary data, including it being tailored to the specific needs of the researcher; (v) key disadvantages of primary data, including its costly and time consuming collection methods.

Course

In this course, Dr Eduardo Vasquez (University of Kent) explores data collection and review in psychological research. In the first lecture, we think about qualitative data collection methods, including interviews and focus groups. In the second lecture, we think about quantitative data collection methods, including experiments and surveys. In the third lecture, we think about the advantages and disadvantages of primary data. Next, we think about the advantages and disadvantages of secondary data. In the fifth and final lecture, we think about systematic reviews of data, specifically focusing on meta-analyses.

Lecturer

Dr Eduardo Vasquez is a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology at the University of Kent. His research interests include aggression, inter-group relations/conflict, and the influence of alcohol on social behaviours. Some of Dr Vasquez’s recent publications include 'Are you insulting me? Exposure to alcohol primes increases aggression following ambiguous provocation' (2014), 'Any of them will do: In-group identification, out-group entitativity, and gang membership as predictors of group based retribution' (2015), and 'The sexual objectification of girls and aggression towards them in gang and non-gang affiliated youth' (2017).