Chapter 4.

Presentation, Analysis, and

Interpretation of Data
For Senior High School Students
INVQM
2nd Semester AY 2018-2019
 Guidelines for the Presentation of Statistical
Information
• Support your presentation with tables, graphs, charts and figures
where applicable
• Follow the prescribed format.
• Tables, charts, graphs and figures should be interpreted - it is your
responsibility to tell your reader what you think is the most important
information in the graphics.
• Make sure that each graphic is clearly labelled with a title so that readers
can easily identify and understand them.
• Never present a table, chart, or figure that you are not planning to explain
• It should be written in the past tense because the data has been
collected.
• Do not judge, editorialize, evaluate or give your opinion on the
results obtained. Just report the facts.
• Presentation should be consistent with the underlying theoretical
framework [Not left isolated in Chapter 2]
• Remember to write for the reader and it should be logical and easy
to follow - 'make it simple but not simpler'
• Avoid citations - it is not necessary to cite sources - you will do that
in Chapter 5.
Reporting Descriptive Statistics
• In reporting the results of descriptive statistical tests, focus is on the
means (M), standard deviations (SD), frequencies (N) and percentages
presented in tables or graphs (bar charts, line graphs, pie charts). For
example,
'Females (M = 45, SD = 2.1) are more satisfied with their jobs
compared to their male (M = 38, SD = 2.2) colleagues'.
• If you present descriptive statistics in a table or figure, you do not
need to repeat in text form all that is in the table.
• However, you should explain the key features in the table in the
narrative which will help interpretation.
• A common error is tell nothing about the table or graph in the text or
to tell in writing everything in the table or graph.
• You have to decide on what are the key findings or features that
should be written about.
• You cannot say, "Just look at the table and interpret for yourself what
was found".
Reporting the p Value
• Most quantitative research in the behavioral and social sciences
involve comparing two or more groups of individuals.
• The statistical tools (such as t-test, ANOVA) are used to report
a significant difference between two or more conditions where one
condition may be more, less, higher or lower than another condition.
• For this purpose, the 'p value' is used ranging from .001, .01 and .05.
• Before you report, make sure that you mention at the onset that you
are using a particular alpha level such as .05 for all statistical tests.
• This is how it should be reported:
"A p value of .03 was reported indicating a significant
difference between ....................."
 Reporting Correlations
• Correlations provide a measure of statistical relationship between two
variables.
• Note that correlations can be tested for statistical significance and
reported as follows:
"For the thirty students, the scores on the mathematics test (M =
7.00, SD = 1.23) and the attitude towards mathematics (M = 80.89, SD =
6.90) were strongly and significantly correlated, r(29) = .70, p = .038"
 Basic Rules
1) Try to capture the readers’ interest - While staying within the
confines of scientific rigor, the writer should strive to enliven the
text by highlighting key findings and meanings
2) Take time to write clearly and succinctly draft and re-draft to clearly
and unambiguously describe the data
3) Ensure consistency of language and style throughout the report or
presentation - Often sections of a single piece are written
separately for each table or chart, so a final check to ensure
consistency is advisable.
4) Avoid unnecessary repetition - if parts of the report or presentation
are written separately, contents get repeated.
Review the written text to eliminate unnecessary repetitions and to
harmonize the texts
5) Focus on the main points and minimize unnecessary details - Present
the most important information first, and add details only if absolutely
necessary
6) Avoid using unnecessary technical terms