Data Analysis Data Analysis is the process of systematically applying statistical and/or logical techniques to describe and illustrate, condense and recap, and evaluate data (Data Analysis, n.d.). An essential component of ensuring data integrity is the accurate and appropriate analysis of research findings; improper statistical analyses distort scientific findings, mislead casual readers and may negatively influence the public perception of research (Data Analysis, n.d.). By the time you get to the analysis of your data, most of the really difficult work has been done. The purpose of analyzing data is to obtain usable and useful information. The analysis, regardless of whether the data is qualitative or quantitative, may: describe and summarize the data, identify relationships between variables, compare variables, identify the difference between variables, or forecast outcomes (Develop A Research Proposal, n.d.). When it comes to data analysis, some believe that statistical techniques are only applicable for quantitative data, but there are many statistical techniques that can be applied to qualitative data as well (Develop A Research Proposal, n.d.). Statistical Analysis Tests A majority of studies and research questions can be attempted through a many tests. The test a researcher uses depends upon the type of the research question being asked. Other determining factors are the type of data being analyzed and the number of groups or data sets involved in the study. This next section will describe three different statistical analysis tests and compare and contrast them. A t-test is statistical analysis test which has three types. A one sample t-test allows researchers to test whether a sample mean (of a normally distributed in... ... middle of paper ... ...ure reviews is similar, but the importance it has on both is not. Quantitative research requires in-depth and well-organized reviews in order for researchers to provide further research on the topic. As for qualitative research, it does not require such systematic background to be conducted. After research comes data collection. Data collection comes in many forms, but this essay discussed the process of creating a questionnaire. The way the questionnaire is developed depends of the type of research being studied. Once the data is collected, researchers must analyze the data. The purpose of analyzing data is to obtain usable and useful information. Many techniques are used to analyze data. Three types which have their own types were mentioned above. These provide ways for researchers to analyze the data from research they conducted to find an answer to the question.
Qualitative research aims to gather information from data collection methods and transform it into written words. Such as transcribing recorded interviews, taking field notes from observations, using words to outline images (Denscombe, 1998, p. 174). On the other hand, quantitative research aims to gather information from data collection methods and transform it into numbers. Such as analysing conducted surveys and pulling numbers to transform it into statistics, tables and graphs (Denscombe, 1998, p.174-177).
There are two types of research that can be conducted in research studies, these are qualitative and quantitative (Newman, 2011). Qualitative research is a process that uses detailed oriented methodology that tries to achieve a profound knowledge or understanding of specific incident and circumstance, wh...
Qualitative data analysis requires a logical approach in order to interpolate data into useful information. Participants, and any further obtainable data that will shed light on the studied phenomenon should base the analysis on the objectives of the study, and the response.
Today the use of technology has become embedded into our daily lives. Most of western civilization has access to a piece of technology at any given point of time. In recent years, technology has started to play a significant role in the area of research. Quantitative research was quickly adapted and aided by technology due to the use of number variables, but the same was not true for qualitative research. In recent years, qualitative research was revolutionized by Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software. Although, QDA software has a great deal of positive aspect, there are drawbacks in the utilization.
According to Smith (1983) quantitative research is to explain, predict and develop laws that can be universally applied and Qualitative research is the interpretation and understanding of what people give to their situation. The researchers clearly stated the purpose of their studies, aim, objectiv...
The father of quantitative analysis, Rene Descartes, thought that in order to know and understand something, you have to measure it (Kover, 2008). Quantitative research has two main types of sampling used, probabilistic and purposive. Probabilistic sampling is when there is equal chance of anyone within the studied population to be included. Purposive sampling is used when some benchmarks are used to replace the discrepancy among errors. The primary collection of data is from tests or standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and closed-ended observational protocols. The secondary means for data collection includes official documents. In this study, the data is analyzed to test one or more expressed hypotheses. Descriptive and inferential analyses are the two types of data analysis used and advance from descriptive to inferential. The next step in the process is data interpretation, and the goal is to give meaning to the results in regards to the hypothesis the theory was derived from. Data interpretation techniques used are generalization, theory-driven, and interpretation of theory (Gelo, Braakmann, Benetka, 2008). The discussion should bring together findings and put them into context of the framework, guiding the study (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). The discussion should include an interpretation of the results; descriptions of themes, trends, and relationships; meanings of the results, and the limitations of the study. In the conclusion, one wants to end the study by providing a synopsis and final comments. It should include a summary of findings, recommendations, and future research (Black, Gray, Airasain, Hector, Hopkins, Nenty, Ouyang, n.d.). Deductive reasoning is used in studies...
Saint Leo’s core value of “Excellence” states as follows, “All of us, individually and collectively, work hard to ensure that our students develop the character, learn the skills, and assimilate the knowledge essential to become morally responsible leaders” (Florida Catholic University). Using data effectively and efficiently is the moral responsibility of Saint Leo Alumni for our students and community. In order to be effective and efficient one must be able to recognize different types of data and be able to determine the need and meaning behind the numbers. Before interpreting different types of data, remember that data refers to a group of information that one can analyze. Data can range from a gender ratio to scores of an individualized assessment.
Focusing on surveys and questionnaires, there is a small difference. Questionnaires gather the information from different respondents while a survey is the systematic collection of information from different individuals . Qualitative and quantitative research is the two main functions of research. They both hold different views.
Data Collection and Analysis Questionnaire The research was carried out on both quantitative and qualitative approaches. It began with a quantitative approach—questionnaire. Bryman and Bell (2003) asserted that mail or postal questionnaires are the most popular forms of questionnaires. Another form—self-completion questionnaire—was also common because of the overlap with postal questionnaire to some extent.
The significance of the analysis is to find out the main line that can solve the problem by understanding the difference and connection between things or phenomena and solve the problem accordingly. Data analysis refers to the process of analyzing and summarizing the data by analyzing a large amount of collected data with appropriate statistical analysis methods, extracting useful information and forming conclusions. In practice, data analysis can help people make judgments so that appropriate action can be
After knowing about the data we should know about how to analyze the data that are collected. Analysis here means that seeks to understand behavior by using complex mathematical and statistical modeling, measurement and research.
Qualitative data analysis is composed of document, observation, interviews, focus groups, and being able to discuss what is being found in each of the piece of data collected (Chenail, 2012). Qualitative data analysis can be viewed as understanding the analysis of data. For qualitative data to be successfully analyzed, the researcher must be able to maintain control of their study, be able analyze their study, analyze themselves, and be able to present this found data in various publications (Chenail, 2012).
Qualitative and quantitative research methods take different approaches to gathering and analysing information. Whether it is a qualitative or quantitative study, the research study begins with a question or series of questions. Both use rigorously designed studies to get the most accurate, detailed and complete results. Qualitative studies common methods are interviews, surveys and observation. A qualitative study aims to provide a detailed description of the study results, often using pictures and written descriptions to describe what the research revealed. A qualitative study looks at the big picture, helping researchers to narrow in on points of interest that then can be followed up on in a quantitative study. While a quantitative study has a narrower focus, it attempts to provide a detailed explanation of the study focus, along with this using numbers and statistics. And the results from a quantitative study can reveal bigger questions that call for qualitative study. Or vice versa a qualitative study may reveal at analysis that a more focus and direct approach may be needed. With both methods analysis is a key part of any study whether qualitative or quantitative.
Quantitative research involves the collection and converting of data into numerical form to enable statistical calculations be made and conclusions drawn. It provides a measure of how people think, feel or behave and uses the statistical analysis to determine the results. However, this measurement results in numbers, or data, being collected, which is then analyzed by using quantitative research methods (Byrne, 2007).
Qualitative and quantitative researcher’s exhibited conflicting ways of approaching a research. Some researchers prefer qualitative over quantitative and vice-versa. Also, it is common for qualitative and quantitative to be used together in a research. But, both methods when carried out correctly provide good research. Plus, both methods have their own unique differences and characteristics. In this paper I will define three of these characteristics in a quantitative and qualitative research design and discuss and compare their differences. (Smith & Davis, 2010)