![data analysis methods data analysis methods](https://flightsafety.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Coloures-pic_AdobeStock_105005922.jpeg)
There are two kinds of data you’re apt to be working with, although not all evaluations will necessarily include both. It may mean comparing your information to that from other groups (a control or comparison group, statewide figures, etc.), to help draw some conclusions from the data. The point, in terms of your evaluation, is to get an accurate assessment in order to better understand your work and its effects on those you’re concerned with, or in order to better understand the overall situation. That may mean subjecting it to statistical operations that can tell you not only what kinds of relationships seem to exist among variables, but also to what level you can trust the answers you’re getting. What do we mean by analyzing data?Īnalyzing information involves examining it in ways that reveal the relationships, patterns, trends, etc. A smoking cessation program, for example, is an independent variable that may change group members’ smoking behavior, the primary dependent variable. A dependent variable could be a behavior, outcome, or other condition. A dependent variable is what may change as a result of the independent variable or intervention. This could be a program, method, system, or other action. An independent variable (the intervention) is a condition implemented by the researcher or community to see if it will create change and improvement.
![data analysis methods data analysis methods](https://methods.sagepub.com/images/virtual/the-sage-handbook-of-online-research-methods/image110.jpg)
There are two kinds of variables in research. How you do this will depend on your research design and your evaluation questions. You might group observations by the dependent variable (indicator of success) they relate to, by individuals or groups of participants, by time, by activity, etc. You might also want to group observations in several different ways, so that you can study interactions among different variables. Organizing data in ways that make them easier to work with.
Data analysis methods software#
![data analysis methods data analysis methods](https://proskillsgate.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/What_is_Data_Analysis-768x432.jpg)
If you are conducting observations, for example, you’ll have to define what you’re observing and arrange to make observations at the right times, so you actually observe what you need to. What do we mean by collecting data?Įssentially, collecting data means putting your design for collecting information into operation. You’ve decided how you’re going to get information – whether by direct observation, interviews, surveys, experiments and testing, or other methods – and now you and/or other observers have to implement your plan. There’s a bit more to collecting data, however.
Data analysis methods how to#
In this section, we’ll examine how to do just that. In previous sections of this chapter, we’ve discussed studying the issue, deciding on a research design, and creating an observational system for gathering information for your evaluation. Now it’s time to collect your data and analyze it – figuring out what it means – so that you can use it to draw some conclusions about your work.