RESEARCH DATA

INTERPRETATIO
N
By
Dr. Zaryab Khalid
Class: BS Botany
Semester: 7th
Subject: Research Methodology
‘All meanings, we know, depend on
the key of interpretation.’
-George Eliot

2
 Principles of Analysis and Interpretation

Data, as used in behavioral research, means

research results from which inferences are drawn:
usually numerical results, like scores of tests and
statistics such as means, percentages, and
correlation coefficients.
Analysis means the categorizing, ordering,
manipulating, and summarizing of data to obtain
answers to research questions.
Interpretation takes the results of analysis, makes
inferences pertinent to the research relations
studied, and draws conclusions about these
relations.
Methods of data interpretation
Direct visual observations of raw data
After organizing the data in tables
After making Graphical
representations
After calculations using
numerical / statistical methods
After mathematical modelling
 DAT
A is known to be crude
Data
information and not knowledge by
itself.
The sequence from data to
knowledge is:
from Data to Information,
from Information to Facts, and
finally,
from Facts to Knowledge.
DAT
Abecomes relevant to your decision problem.
Data becomes information, when it

Information becomes fact, when the data

can support it.
Facts are what the data reveals.
However the decisive instrumental (i.e.,
applied) knowledge is expressed together with
some statistical degree of confidence.
Fact becomes knowledge, when it
is used in the successful
completion of a decision process.
massive amount of facts
are integrated as
knowledge.
Usefulness and utility of research findings lie in
proper interpretation.
Interpretation is a basic component of research.
After collecting and analyzing the data, the
researcher has to accomplish the task of drawing
inferences followed by report writing.
This has to be done very carefully, otherwise mis
conclusions may be drawn and the whole purpose
of doing research may get vitiated.
It is only through interpretation that the researcher
can expose relations and processes that underlie
his findings.
Meaning of Interpretation
Interpretation refers to the task of drawing
inferences from the collected facts after an analytical
and or experimental study.
In fact, it is a search for broader meaning of
research findings.
The task of interpretation has two major aspects
viz.,
the effort to establish continuity in research
through linking the results of a given study with
those of another, and the establishment of some
explanation concepts.
“In one sense, interpretation is concerned with
relationships within the collected data, partially
overlapping analysis.
Interpretation also extends beyond the data
of the study to inch the results of other
research, theory and hypotheses.”
Interpenetration is the device
Thus, interpenetration is the device
through which the factors that seem to
explain what has been observed by
researcher in the course of the study can be
better understood and it also provides a
theoretical conception which can serve as a
guide for further researches.
Why Interpretation?
Interpretation is essential for the
simple reason that the usefulness and
utility of research findings lie in proper
interpretation.
It is being considered a basic component
of research process because of the
following reasons:
Through interpretation
It is through interpretation that the researcher
can well understand the abstract principle
that works beneath his findings.
Through this he can link up his findings with
those of other studies, having the same abstract
principle, and thereby can predict about the
concrete world of events. Fresh inquiries can test
these predictions later on.
This way the continuity in research can
be maintained.
 Interpretation of the findings
The interpretation of the findings of exploratory
research study often results into hypotheses for
experimental research and as such interpretation
is involved in the transition from exploratory to
experimental research.
Since an exploratory study does not have a
hypothesis to start with, the findings of such
a study have to be interpreted on a post
factum basis in which case the interpretation
is
technically described as ‘post factum’
interpretation.
Technique of Interpretation
The task of interpretation is not an easy job,
rather it requires a great skill and dexterity on
the part of researcher.
Interpretation is an art that one learns
through practice and experience.
The researcher may, at times, seek the
guidance from experts for accomplishing the
task of interpretation.
The technique of interpretation

 The technique of interpretation often involves the

following steps:
■ 1. Researcher must give reasonable explanations of
the relations which he/she has found and he/she
must interpret the lines of relationship in terms of
the underlying processes and must try to find out the
thread of uniformity that lies under the surface layer
of his diversified research findings.
■ In fact, this is the technique of how generalization
should be done and concepts be formulated.
2. Extraneous information, if collected
during the study, must be considered
while interpreting the final results of
research study, for it may prove to be a
key factor in understanding the problem
under consideration.
3. It is advisable, before embarking upon final interpretation,
to , consult someone having insight into the study and
who is frank and honest and will not hesitate to point out
omissions and errors in logical argumentation. Such a
consultation will result in correct interpretation and, thus,
will enhance the utility of research results.
4. Researcher must accomplish the task of interpretation
only after considering all relevant factors affecting the
problem to avoid false generalization. He /she must be in
no hurry while interpreting results, for quite often the
conclusions, which appear to be all right at the beginning,
may not at all be accurate.
Precautions in Interpretation
One should always remember that even if
the data are properly collected and
analyzed, wrong interpretation would lead
to inaccurate conclusions.
It is, therefore, absolutely essential that
the task of , interpretation be
accomplished with patience in an
impartial manner and also in correct
perspective.
For correct interpretation
Researcher must pay attention to the following
points for correct interpretation:
(i)At the outset, researcher must invariably satisfy
himself that
(a) the data are appropriate, trustworthy and
adequate
for drawing inferences;
(b) the data reflect good homogeneity; and that
(c)proper analysis has been done through statistical
methods.
(ii) The researcher must remain cautious about
the errors that can possibly arise in the process of
interpreting results.
 Errors can arise due to false
generalization
Errors can arise due to false generalization and/or due
to wrong interpretation of statistical measures, such as
the application of findings beyond the range of
observations, identification of correlation with
causation . and the like.
Another major pitfall is the tendency to affirm
that definite relationships exist on the basis of
confirmation of particular hypotheses.
Researcher must remain vigilant
In fact, the positive test results accepting
the hypothesis must be interpreted as
“being in accord” with the hypothesis,
rather than as “confirming the validity of
the hypothesis”.
The researcher must remain vigilant about all
such things so that false generalization may
not take place.
He/she should be well equipped with and
must know the correct use of statistical
measures for drawing inferences concerning
his study.
Researcher must always keep in view that the
task of interpretation is very much intertwined
with analysis and cannot be distinctly
separated.
As such he must take the task of interpretation
as a special aspect of analysis and accordingly
must take all those precautions that one usually
observes while going through the process of
analysis viz., precautions concerning the
reliability of data, computational checks,
validation and comparison of results.
Data Interpretation Methods
Data interpretation may be the most important key
in proving or disproving your hypothesis.
It is important to select the proper statistical tool
to make useful interpretation of your data.
If you pick an improper data analysis method,
your results may be suspect and lack credibility.
Visually scanning the data
Before doing any statistical analyses of
the data you have collected, look
closely at the data to determine the
best method of organizing it .
By visually scanning the data and
reorganizing it, you may be able to spot
trends or other anomalies that may
help you in your analysis of the data.
STATISTICS
Statistics is a science assisting you
to make decisions under
uncertainties (based on some numerical
and measurable scales).
Decision making process must be based on
data neither on personal opinion nor on
any belief.
What is Statistical Data Analysis?
Data are not information! To
determine what statistical data
analysis is, one must first define
statistics.
Statistics is a set of methods that
are used to collect, analyze, present,
and interpret data.
Statistical methods
Statistical methods are used in a wide
variety of occupations and help people
identify, study, and solve many complex
problems.
In the business and economic world,
these methods enable decision
makers and managers to make
informed and better decisions about
uncertain situations.
Using statistics to determine relationships
is paramount to the success of good
research.
Using tools such as ANOVA, correlations, Fisher
Exact Tests, regression, etc. can predict whether
or not your research hypothesis is satisfied.
But, REMEMBER to select your p-value before
you begin your research project.
Doing this will add credibility to your research.
One other important point to remember when
doing data analysis is to use parametric
statistics instead of nonparametric statistics
whenever possible.
Remember that parametric statistics relies on
the assumptions of normality, which gives
greater power than nonparametric testing.
Both parametric and nonparametric
statistical tests are used for interpretation.
Statistics consists of
Statistics consists of the principles and methods
for
Designing studies
Collecting data
Presenting and analysing data
Interpreting the results
Statistics has been described as
Turning data into information
Data-based decision making.
Scientists interpret data based on
their background
Scientists interpret data based on their
background knowledge and experience; thus,
different scientists can interpret the same data
in different ways.
By publishing their data and the techniques they
used to analyze and interpret those data, scientists
give the community the opportunity to both
review the data and use them in future research.