Effective data analysis involves

keeping your eye on the main game

managing your data
engaging in the actual process of quantitative and
/ or qualitative analysis
presenting your data
drawing meaningful and logical conclusions

Analysis should be approached as a critical,

reflective, and iterative process that cycles
between data and an overarching research
framework that keeps the big picture in
mind

Being able to do statistics no longer means

being able to work with formula
Its much more important for researchers to
be familiar with the language and logic of
statistics, and be competent in the use of
statistical software

Different data types demand discrete

treatment, so its important to be able to
distinguish variables by
cause and effect (dependent or independent)
measurement scales (nominal, ordinal, interval,
and ratio)

Descriptive statistics are used to summarize

the basic feature of a data set through
measures of central tendency (mean, mode, and
median)
dispersion (range, quartiles, variance, and
standard deviation)
distribution (skewness and kurtosis)

Inferential statistics allow researchers to

assess their ability to draw conclusions
that extent beyond the immediate data,
e.g.
if a sample represents the population
if there are differences between two or more
groups
if there are changes over time
if there is a relationship between two or more
variables

Selecting the right statistical test relies on

knowing the nature of your variables

their scale of measurement
their distribution shape
types of question you want to ask

Presenting quantitative data often involves

the production of graphs and tables
These need to be
1. selectively generated so that they make
relevant arguments
2. informative yet simple, so that they aid
readers understanding

In qualitative data analysis there is a

common reliance on words and images to
draw out rich meaning
But there is an amazing array of
perspectives and techniques for conducting
an investigation

Qualitative data analysis creates new

understandings by exploring and
interpreting complex data from sources
without the aid of quantification
Data source include

interviews
group discussions
observation
journals
archival documents, etc

The methods and logic of qualitative data

analysis involve uncovering and discovering
themes that run through raw data, and
interpreting the implication of those themes
for research questions

Qualitative data analysis generally

involves
moving through cycles of inductive and
deductive reasoning
thematic exploration (based on words,
concepts, literary devises, and nonverbal cues)
exploration of the interconnections among
themes

Qualitative data analysis software can help

with these tasks

There are a number of paradigm and

discipline based strategies for qualitative
data analysis including

content analysis
discourse analysis
narrative analysis
conversation analysis
semiotics
hermeneutics
grounded theory

Effective presentation of qualitative data

can be a real challenge
Youll need to have a clear storyline, and
selectively use your words and/or images to
give weight to your story

Your findings and conclusions need to flow

from analysis and show clear relevance to
your overall project
Findings should be considered in light of

significance
current research literature
limitations of the study
your questions, aims, objectives, and theory