Chapter 2

PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS, AND INTERPRETATION OF RESEARCH DATA

PRESENTATION

Definition:
- It is the process of organizing data into logical, sequential and meaningful
categories and classifications to make them amenable to study and
interpretation.

3 Ways of Presenting Data

1. Textual
Definition: Statements with numerals or numbers that serve as
supplements to tabular presentation

2. Tabular
Definition: A systematic arrangement of related idea in which classes of
numerical facts or data are given each row and their subclasses are given
each a column in order to present the relationships of the sets or numerical
facts or data in a definite, compact and understandable form

2 General Rules:

i. The table should be so constructed that it enables the reader to

comprehend the data presented without referring to the text
ii. The text should be so written that it allows the reader to understand
the argument presented without referring to the table.

(Campbell, Ballou and Slade, 1990)

3. Graphical
Definition: A chart representing the quantitative variations or changes of
variables in pictorial or diagrammatic form

Types of Graphs and Charts

a) Bar graphs
b) Linear graphs
c) Pie graphs
d) Pictograms
e) Statistical maps
f) Ratio charts
ANALYSIS
Definition:
- The process of breaking up the whole study into its constituent parts of
categories according to the specific questions under the statement of the
problem. (Calderon, 1993)

2 Ways of Data Analysis

1. Qualitative Analysis
- It is not based on precise measurement and quantitative claims. (PSSC:
2001: 51)

Examples of Qualitative Analysis

a) Social analysis
b) From the biggest to the smallest class
c) Most important to the least important
d) Ranking of students according to brightness, etc.

2. Quantitative Analysis
- It is employed on data that have been assigned some numerical value.
(PSSC: 2001: 51)

- It can range from the examination of simple frequencies to the

description of events or phenomenon using descriptive statistics, and to
the investigation of correlation and causal hypothesis using various
statistical tests. (PSSC: 2001: 51)

INTERPRETATION
Definition:
- This section answers the question, “So what?” in relation to the results of the
study. What do the results of the study mean? This part is, perhaps, the most
critical aspect of the research report.

- It is often the most difficult to write because it is the least structured.

- This section demands perceptiveness and creativity from the researcher.

 HOW DO WE INTERPRET THE RESULTS OF OUR STUDY?

Tips:

1. Tie up the results of the study in both theory and application by pulling together the: a)
conceptual/theoretical framework; b) the review of literature; and c) the study’s potential
significance for application.

2. Examine, summarize, interpret and justify the results; then, draw inferences. Consider the
following:
a. Conclude or summarize  This technique enables the reader to get the total
picture of the findings in summarized form, and helps orient the reader to the
discussion that follows.

b. Interpret  Questions on the meaning of the findings, the methodology, the

unexpected results and the limitations and shortcomings of the study should be
answered and interpreted

c. Integrate  This is an attempt to put the pieces together.  Often, the results of a
study are disparate and do not seem to “hang together.” In the discussion, attempt
to bring the findings together to extract meaning and principles.

d. Theorize  When the study includes a number of related findings, it occasionally

becomes possible to theorize.
 Integrate your findings into a principle;
 Integrate a theory into your findings; and
 Use these findings to formulate an original theory
e. Recommend or apply alternatives

3. In deducing INTERPRETATION from STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, the following

KEYWORDS or PHRASES may be useful:
 Table _____ presents the…
 Table _____ indicates the…
 As reflected in the table, there was…
 As observed, there was indeed…
 Delving deeper into the figures…
 The illustrative graph above/below shows that…
 In explaining this result, it can be stated that…
 Is significantly related to…
 Is found to be determinant of…
 Registered positive correlation with…
 Is revealed to influence…
 Has significant relationship with…
 Is discovered to be a factor of…
 In relation with the result of __________, it may be constructed that…
  And in viewing in this sense, it can be stated that…
 The result establishes the fact that…
 This finding suggests that…
 With this result, the researcher developed an impression that…
 This finding also validates the findings of…
 This improvement in _________ could be understood in the context of…
 These findings also accept the framework of the study…
 The interpretation marked as __________ reveals that…
 Nevertheless, this finding could be attributed to the fact that…
 Probably, this was also influenced…
 In the rational sense, the juxtaposition of…

4. Saavedra (1997) gives some guidelines in the presentation, analysis, and interpretation of
data:

i. The chapter is organized and divided into several main components or topics,
each of which is titled according to the sub-problem or hypothesis statement.

ii. Present only relevant data.

iii. In reporting data, choose the medium that will present them effectively.

iv. Presenting tables that can be presented as well in a few sentences in the text must
be avoided.

v. The textual presentation should supplement or expand the contents of tables and
charts, rather than duplicate them.

vi. Only objective data embodied in tables are made the bases of discussion.

vii. The analysis of the data should be OBJECTIVE and LOGICAL.

viii. In analyzing and interpreting data, point out those that are consistent or
inconsistent with the theory presented in the study’s theoretical framework.

ix. In reporting statistical tests of significance, include information concerning the

value of the test, the degree of freedom, the probability level and the direction of
the effect.

x. The findings are compared and contrasted with that of other previous studies and
interpretations are made thereof.