Sociology 2206A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Descriptive Statistics, Frequency Distribution, Univariate
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Quantitative data: quantitative data is essentially , a jumble of numbers that have no meaning until you arrange them [ you give meaning to them] Quantitative data is obtained through : experiments = explanatory research involving group comparisons, surveys = descriptive research asks many people numerous questions, used the most in sociology. Most frequently used in sociology: content analysis = assessment of written, pictorial, or symbolic material (text, existing statistics = using previously collected information to examine old or create new findings. Role of statistics: statistics are one of the most important means by which research and theory interact, quantitative research is impossible without statistics, permit us to analyze data, identify relationships and revise theories. Levels of measurement: nominal, weakest level of measurement, qualitative, ordinal, qualitative. Interval: we have a uniform interval between categories, this level of measurement has numbers, ratio, has a true 0 point, this level of measurement has zero"s.