RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Dr. Ahmed A. Gheni

Topics
 The Research Process
 Step 6: Data analysis
v qualitative and quantitative
 Step 7: Generalization and Interpretation
Steps in Research Process
08
Writing the report
07
06 Generalisation and
Analysis of data Interpretation
05
04 Collecting the data
Research and sample design
03
Developing the objectives

02
Extensive literature review
01
Formulating the research problem
Step 6: Analysis of data
 Descriptive statistics are methods for organizing and summarizing
data.
 For example, tables or graphs are used to organize data

 Inferential statistics are methods for using sample data to make

general conclusions (inferences) about populations.
Comparison
Comparison
Comparison
 Comparison

i. The market analyst claimed that mortgage rates is hit bottom due to the economic crisis.

Inferential statistics

ii. There is a significant relationship between smoking and lung cancer.

I Inferential statistics

iii. The average age of the students in a research methodology class is 19 year olds.
Descriptive Statistics
 Comparison
v. The median monthly income for male employees aged 25-34 is $1000.

Descriptive Statistics

vi. Based on the previous reports, it was found that the national average annual medicine
expenditure per person is $208.

Descriptive Statistics

vii. By 2070, the unemployment rates of developing country will be reduced to 2.8%.
Inferential Statistics
Step 7: Generalization and Interpretation

Inferential Statistics
 Descriptive Statistics

1. Frequency Distributions 3. Summary Stats

# of Ss that fall Describe data in just one
in a particular category number
2. Graphical Representations

Graphs & Tables

Summary Statistics

n Measures of Central Tendency

n Mean

n Median

n Range

n Frequency distributions
n Percentage distributions
Means and Medians

History 95 Math 98
English 96 English 96
Biology 93 History 95
Latin 92 Music 94
Math 98 Biology 93
Music 94 Latin 92
Gym 40 Gym 40
Median = 94 Mean = 87
Some Subtleties

40 50 55 94 100 100 100 Mean = 81

40 92 93 94 95 96 98 Mean = 87
Frequency Distributions

To what extent did you increase your skills in putting

together a household budget?
A lot Some A little Not at all

Women (N=30) 14 9 5 2
 Percentage Distributions

To what extent did you increase your skills in putting together

a household budget?
A lot Some A little Not at all

Women (N=30) 46% 30% 17% 7%

Graphing Frequency Data
Graphing Frequency Data

How did you first hear about the web-site?

Court Referral
Social Worker
Friend or Acquaintance
Librarian
Web Search Engine
Newspaper Story
Other
Histograms
Cross Tabulations
 Graphing comparisons
Satisfaction with Services
40

35

30
Satisfaction Score

25

20

15

10

0
A B C D E
Clinic Name
 Some subtleties
Satisfaction with Services
16

14
Satisfaction Score

12

10
Staff
8 Advice
Facility
6

0
A B C D E
Clinic
 Some more subtleties
Satisfaction with Services
16

14
Satisfaction Score

12
A
10
B
8 C
D
6
E
4

0
Staff Advice Facility
Satisfaction Component
 Sample
Sample

Population Sample

Sample Inferential Statistics

Draw inferences about the

larger group
Now, can you conclude something?