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According
to LeCompte and Schensul, research data analysis is a process used by
researchers for reducing data to a story and interpreting it to derive insights.
The data analysis process helps in reducing a large chunk of data into smaller
fragments, which makes sense.
Three essential things take place during the data analysis process — the first
data organization. Summarization and categorization together contribute to
becoming the second known method used for data reduction. It helps in
finding patterns and themes in the data for easy identification and linking.
Third and the last way is data analysis – researchers do it in both top-down or
bottom-up fashion.
For example, researchers conducting research and data analysis for studying
the concept of ‘diabetes’ amongst respondents might analyze the context of
when and how the respondent has used or referred to the word ‘diabetes.’
Metaphors can be used to reduce the data pile and find patterns in it so that it
becomes easier to connect data with theory.
Descriptive statistics
This method is used to describe the basic features of versatile types of data in
research. It presents the data in such a meaningful way that pattern in the
data starts making sense. Nevertheless, the descriptive analysis does not go
beyond making conclusions. The conclusions are again based on the
hypothesis researchers have formulated so far. Here are a few major types of
descriptive analysis methods.
Measures of Frequency
Count, Percent, Frequency
It is used to denote home often a particular event occurs.
Researchers use it when they want to showcase how often a response is
given.
Measures of Central Tendency
Mean, Median, Mode
The method is widely used to demonstrate distribution by various points.
Researchers use this method when they want to showcase the most
commonly or averagely indicated response.
Measures of Dispersion or Variation
Range, Variance, Standard deviation
Here the field equals high/low points.
Variance standard deviation = difference between the observed score and
mean
It is used to identify the spread of scores by stating intervals.
Researchers use this method to showcase data spread out. It helps them
identify the depth until which the data is spread out that it directly affects the
mean.
Measures of Position
Percentile ranks, Quartile ranks
It relies on standardized scores helping researchers to identify the
relationship between different scores.
It is often used when researchers want to compare scores with the average
count.
For quantitative market research use of descriptive analysis often give
absolute numbers, but the analysis is never sufficient to demonstrate the
rationale behind those numbers. Nevertheless, it is necessary to think of the
best method for research and data analysis suiting your survey questionnaire
and what story researchers want to tell. For example, the mean is the best
way to demonstrate the students’ average scores in schools. It is better to rely
on the descriptive statistics when the researchers intend to keep the research
or outcome limited to the provided sample without generalizing it. For
example, when you want to compare average voting done in two different
cities, differential statistics are enough.
Estimating parameters: It takes statistics from the sample research data and
demonstrates something about the population parameter.
Hypothesis test: It’s about sampling research data to answer the survey
research questions. For example, researchers might be interested to
understand if the new shade of lipstick recently launched is good or not, or if
the multivitamin capsules help children to perform better at games.
These are sophisticated analysis methods used to showcase the relationship
between different variables instead of describing a single variable. It is often
used when researchers want something beyond absolute numbers to
understand the relationship between variables.
Here are some of the commonly used methods for data analysis in research.
CONFIDENTIAL DATA
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Authors must clearly acknowledge any work upon which they are
building, both published and unpublished.
Manuscripts reporting results of a clinical trial must conform to
CONSORT 2010 guidelines. Authors of randomized controlled trials
should submit a completed CONSORT checklist alongside their
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Please note that pooled analyses of selected published research and
bibliometric analyses will not be considered. Studies reporting
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considered if analogous data have not been previously published in a
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