Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Analyzing and Interpreting Data

1. Definition and Purpouse

   • It is important to avoid premature actions
     • based on early analysis and interpretation of data.
   • involves summarizing data dependably and accurately.
     • The researcher works to narrow a large set of issues and data into small and important groups of key data.

2. STEPS

   • Qualitative data analysis is a cyclical, iterative process of reviewing data for common topics or themes.
     • reading/memoing,
       • is the process of writing notes in the field note margins and underlining sections or issues
     • classifying research data.
       • to make sense and find connections among the data.
     • describing
       • involves developing thorough and comprehensive descriptions of the participants,
   • Displaying findings
   • Stating what’s missing from the study

3. Data Analysis Strategies

   • Identifying themes
     • relies on the identification of ideas
   • Coding
     • the process of marking units of text with codes or labels as a way to indicate patterns and meaning in data.
   • Asking key questions
     • “Who is centrally involved?” and “What major activities, events, or issues are relevant to the problem?”
   • Organizational review
     • understand the school or other organization as the larger setting.
   • Concept mapping
     • create a visual display of the major influences

4. Data Interpretation Strategies

   • is based heavily on
     • The connections, common aspects, and linkages among the data pieces, categories, and patterns.
     • The aim is
       • answer four questions: What is important in the data? Why is it important? What can be learned from it? So what?
   • Connecting findings with personal experience encourages the researcher
     • to personalize interpretations based on intimate knowledge

5. Credibility

   • qualitative researchers should ask themselves
     • Are the data based on one’s own observa- tion or on hearsay?
     • In what circumstances was an observation made or reported?
     • How reliable are those providing the data?
     • Are observations corroborated by others?
     • What motivations may have influenced a participant’s report?