ANALYZING AND INTERPRETING DATA

ANALYZING AND INTERPRETING DATA

1. DE F INITION AND PUR POS E

   • What to avoid
     • Analyse data in a shot period of time
     • Make assumptions
   • Involves
     • Data interpretation is an attempt
     • Data dependably P resentation and accurately
     • Data analysis occurs before data collection is complete
     • Meaningful data
     • The researcher must organize, categorize, synthesize, analyze, and write about the data.

2. STEPS IN ANALYZING QUALITATIVE RESEARCH DATA

   • Reading/memoing is the process of writing notes in the field
     • Describing involves developing thorough and comprehensive descriptions of the participants
   • Qualitative data analysis is a cyclical
     • Classifying small pieces of data into more general categories
       • To make sense and find connections among the data
   • One approach to analysis is to follow three iterative steps:
     • Reading/memoing Describing Classifying

3. DATA ANALYSIS STRATEGIES

   • Identifying themes
     • Coding is the process of marking units of text with codes or labels
       • It involves the reduction of narrative data
       • An organizational review helps the researcher understand
     • Strategy that relies on the identification of ideas
       • Asking key questions
         • Many computer programs are available to aid in analyzing qualitative data
       • Concept mapping allows the qualitative researcher
         • Analyzing antecedents and consequences
     • Displaying findings involves
       • matrixes
         • concept maps
       • graphs
         • charts

4. DATA INTERPRETATION STRATEGIES

   • Data interpretation
     • Based on: Connections, common aspects, and linkages
   • Connecting findings with personal experience encourages
     • Seeking the advice involves inviting trusted colleagues to offer insights
   • The analysis is a data interpretation strategy
     • The researcher personalize interpretations based on intimate knowledge.
   • The aim of interpretation is to answer four questions:
     • Why is important?
       • What is learned?
         • What is learned?
           • So what?

5. To check the credibility

   • Are the data based on one’s own observation or on hearsay?
   • How reliable are those providing the data?
   • What bases may have influenced how an observation was made or reported?
   • In what circumstances was an observation made or reported?
   • Are observations corroborated by others?
   • What motivations may have influenced a participant’s report?