| Your raw data will come
in many different forms, depending on the time, resources,
and approaches you used to collect it. Some collections
will literally consist of boxes of paper with hand written
responses. Other collections might be in organized databases,
ready for analysis. Either way, to perform a thorough
analysis, you must review the data to be able to accurately
categorize it for analysis. |
|
For qualitative data, getting to know the data requires
that you:
- Read and re-read responses
- Play and re-play audio and video recordings of user
responses
- Take notes about your thoughts and impressions
- Decipher which responses add value and which do
not.
Through this exercise you will pull out the most meaningful
data for your analysis and begin to see patterns and
trends of information revealed.
For quantitative data:
- Run counts, or frequencies, for each response
- Evaluate where missing responses occur
- Note categories where small numbers are present
- Consider data issues such as rounding off, or use
of percentages
Tip:
It’s helpful to review the data periodically
as they are accumulated. In qualitative analysis,
this helps you identify themes and makes the analysis
process less intimidating than if you wait until
all of the data have been collected. In quantitative
analysis, it helps you determine whether there
are problems with certain questions (e.g., skipped
questions often indicate a problem understanding
it), and allows you to perfect your analytic methods.
Most importantly, periodic reviews enable you
to use the results to improve your program. |
Return to Analysis Plan
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Bibliography
Source: Bond, S., Boyd, S., & Rapp, K. (1997). Taking
stock: A practical guide to evaluating your own programs.
Chapel Hill, NC: Horizon Research Inc.
http://www.horizon-research.com/reports/1997/stock.pdf
Source: Taylor-Powell, E. (1996). Analyzing
quantitative data. Madison, WI: Board of Regents
of the University of Wisconsin System.
Source: Taylor-Powell, E. & Renner,
M. (2003). Analyzing qualitative data. Madison,
WI: Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System.
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