Research Methodology

Interpretation

Amandeep Singh
Assistant Professor,
Department of Biotechnology,
GSSDGS Khalsa College,
Patiala.
 Interpretation
• It is the task of drawing inferences from the collected
facts after an analytical or experimental study.
• The task of interpretation has 2 major aspects:
1. Effort to establish the continuity of research
2. Establishment of some explanatory concepts

Your Study

One Study Your Study Another Study

Continuation of Research Explanatory Concepts

 Reasons for Interpretation
1. Through interpretation, a researcher can understand the
abstract principle and thus maintain the continuity of research.
1st researcher can link his findings with 2nd researcher having the
same abstract principle through interpretation.

Research Research
Link
Findings Findings
Through
1st Researcher Interpretation 2nd Researcher
 Reasons for Interpretation
2. Serve as a guide for future research.
3. Researcher can better appreciate only through
interpretation and to understand the real
significance of his study.
4. Interpretation of exploratory research often
results into hypothesis of experimental research,
results in transition from exploratory to
experimental research. This type of interpretation
is known as ‘post factum’ (after the fact)
interpretation.
 Reasons for Interpretation

Continuation of Research Guide for Future Research

Exploratory
Research

Hypothesis

Experimental
Appreciation & Significance of study Research
 Techniques of Interpretation
1. Generalization & Concept formulation
2. Extraneous information (irrelevant or unrelated
to the subject being studied) must be considered,
which prove to be a key factor in understanding
the problem under consideration.
3. Before final interpretation, consult a subject
expert or friend with that specialization to point
out omissions and errors in the research work.
4. Considering all relevant factors to avoid false
generalization.
 Techniques of Interpretation

Generalization & Concept formulation Consider Extraneous information

Consult a subject expert Consider all relevant factors

 Precautions in Interpretation
If data are properly calculated and analyzed
but wrong interpretation is done that leads to
inaccurate conclusion.

Data Data

Wrong Interpretation
X Correct Interpretation

Inaccurate Conclusion
X Accurate Conclusion
 Precautions in Interpretation

• Appropriate
To draw
• Trustworthy
inferences
• Adequate

Reflect good
Data
Homogeneity

Proper analysis through

Statistical methods

Researcher Attention
 Precautions in Interpretation

Check for Errors

Wrong interpretation of Hypothesis testing

Statistical measures

Positive Negative
Wrong Inferences test results test results

Should be interpreted as “being in accord”

Rather than “confirming the validity of the hypothesis”
 Precautions in Interpretation
Researcher must consider interpretation with data analysis.

Reliability

Validity
Data
Interpretation
Analysis Computational
checks

Comparison of
Results
 Precautions in Interpretation

Researcher should identify and separate broad generalizations form the restricted
ones, as most of the research is not amendable to broad generalization.

Researcher should focus on restricted coverage (particular time, particular area and
particular conditions). Research must be framed within these frame limits.
Precautions in Interpretation
There should be constant interaction between empirical
observation (data from experimentation) and theoretical
conception (theoretical concepts of subject under study).