STAGES OF DATA PROCESSING

By
Apollinaire KANDE KAPENA

RES4122 Research Methodology

Facilitator : Dr. Modisa Mzondi

SATS 2020 December

Introduction

In the research process, we have about 8 steps to observe, namely: The

research problem with the formulation of the question around which the
research revolves; The review literature which is a selection of all recent
books, journals and theses that have dealt with the same topic under study;
the development of hypothesis which are the possible answers to the
research question; the research design what is the general approach you will
use to solve your research problem (Smith 2008:152); the data collection;
data analysis; conclusion; and the report making.
In this paper we'll talk about the data collection (1), and data analysis (2)
and the synthesis (3)

1. Data collection

In this stage, the researcher is looking for information what could help him
to settle up his paper or project.
To achieve this, the researcher must have recourse to certain tools
depending on the nature of the research and in relation to the number of
participants. As tools, we refer to the interview, the questionnaire, the
standardized test and rating scale.
From these tools the researcher will be able to gather the data that he will
then implement in his research work. It is this implementation that we call
the capture

2. Data analysis

Once implemented, the research must use analytical technic for the data to
convey meaning. He has to code data for To protect the anonymity of your
respondent; to organize for helping readers to follow the discussion; to
discuss or to comment on the trends you observe and give an interpretation
(Smith 2008:242).

The analysis is a description of the factors that make people think and act
the way they do (Vyhmeister 2001)
Smith (2008: 242) says there are many specific techniques for doing the
analysis. Most of them revolve around identifying similarities and differences
between responses, dividing them into groups or categories, and then
discussing the trends and the possible causes for them.

During the analysis we relate the findings to existing theories and interpret
the results in their light. We have to see if the findings build a new theory or
confirm existing ones.
As Mouton says (2001), the purpose of analysis is to understand the various
constitutive elements of one’s data through an inspection of the
relationships between concepts, constructs or variables, and to see whether
there are any patterns or trends that can be identified or isolated, or to
establish themes in the data.

3. Synthesis
Synthesis is summary of the analysis and interpretation, which serves as the
basis for the action (Vyhmeister 2001)
The synthesis or the conclusion is a step of evaluating the data, by
confronting them with the hypotheses in order to either affirm or reject
them, and finally present the results or the report making.

According to Smith (2008:243), the conclusion has three main steps (state
the findings; verify their credibility; and consider their implications) for
validity, because all research have to get an implication related to the
research question

Conclusion
It should be noted that the collection procedure is an ocean of data that we
must pass through a complement and a good implementation in order to
allow us to make a very good analysis following specific techniques of the
field and an appropriate interpretation because, Interpretation involves the
synthesis of one's data into larger coherent wholes.
At the evaluation level we have to see if the findings build a new theory or
confirm existing ones
Bibliography
Smith K.V. 2008, Academic Writing and Theological Research: A Guide for
Students, South African Theological Seminary Press Johannesburg

Mouton J. (2001), cited in Research Methodology Reader, 2017 by the South

African Theological Seminary p.92-94

Vyhmeister N. J. (2001), cited in Research Methodology Reader, 2017 by the South

African Theological Seminary p.110 -119