WHAT`S NEW

LESSON 1: INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Interpretation of data refers to the implementation of certain procedures

through which data results from surveys is reviewed, analyze for the purpose of
achieving at valid and evident based conclusion. The interpretation of data denotes a
meaning to the information analyzed and determines its significance and implications
to the study.
The first stage of analyzing data is data preparation, where the main goal is to
transform raw data into something meaningful, significant and user friendly. It includes
the following steps:

Step 1: Data Validation

The goal of data validation is to check whether the gathered data was performed
according to the set standards. It is a four-step process, which includes
. Fraud - to ensure whether each respondents was actually interviewed.
. Screening - to check that respondents were chosen according to
the standard research criteria.
. Procedure - to make sure whether the data collection process was
followed
.Completeness - to make sure that the interviewer asked the respondent
all the necessary questions, rather than just choosing a few ones.

To do this, you as a researcher would have to choose a random sample of

completed surveys and validate the data collected rather than have the whole
population as the respondents.
For instance, suppose a survey with 900 respondents divided into 9 barangays.
The researcher can pick a sample of 50 random respondents from each barangay.
Step 2: Data Editing
Usually, many data sets include errors. For example, respondents may fill fields
incompletely or skip them. To ensure that these errors will not occur, the researcher
should conduct the initial data checking and edit the raw research data to identify and
clean out any points that may become the barrier to come up with an accurate results.
For example, an error could be fields in the data information that were left
empty by respondents. While editing and checking the data, it is important to ensure
that empty data/information will be removed or has to be filled in.
Step 3: Data Coding
This is the number one significant process in data preparation. Data coding
refers to grouping and assigning values/codes to responses from the conducted
survey.
For example, if a researcher has interviewed 1000 people and now wants to
find the average daily allowance of the respondents, the researcher will create daily
allowance brackets and categorize the daily allowance of each of the respondent as
per codes. (For example, respondents who has a daily allowance of Php10.00 - below
Php20.00 and Php20.00 – below Php3000 would have their daily allowance coded as
1, Php10.00 – below
Php20.00 as 2, Php20.00 – below Php30.00 as 2, etc.)
Then during analysis, the researcher can come up with simplified daily
allowance, rather than having many ranges of individual daily allowances.
Quantitative data interpretation comprises studying the results taken from
various questions in a survey. The results are commonly shown numerically and by
percentage in the data tables.
After doing the three steps mention above, the data is now ready for the
analysis. The two most widely used quantitative data analysis methods are descriptive
statistics and inferential statistics.

LESSON 2: QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS METHODS

Data collection comprises a major area of the research process. This data
however has to be analyzed to have it` s meaning. There are many methods of
analyzing quantitative data collected in surveys. They are:
Cross-tabulation. This is the most commonly used quantitative data analysis
methods. It is the most preferred method since it uses a basic tabular form to draw
inferences between different data-sets of dependent and independent variable. It
contains data that have some connection with each other.
Steps to conduct Quantitative Data Analysis
For quantitative data, raw data has to showed in a significant manner using
analysis methods. Quantitative data should be analyzed in order to find
evidential/factual data that would help in facilitating the research process.
Relate measurement scales with variables: Associate sacles of
measurement such as Nominal, Ordinal, Interval and Ratio with the variables –
dependent and independent variables. This step is of utmost important to arrange the
data in proper sequence/order. Data can be entered/encoded into an excel sheet to
organize it in a specific data format.
Connect descriptive statistics with data: Connect descriptive statistics to
contain available data. It can be hard to establish a pattern in the raw data. Some
commonly used descriptive statistics are:
Mean - An average of values for a specific variable
Median - A midpoint of the value scale for a variable
Mode - For a variable, the most common value
Frequency - Number of times a particular value is observed in the scale
Minimum and Maximum Values - Lowest & highest values for the scale
Percentages - Format to express scores and set of values for variables
Range: the highest and lowest value in a set of values.

Decide a measurement scale: It is important to decide the measurement scale to

conclude a descriptive statistic for the specific variable.
For example, a nominal variable score will never have a mean or median and
so the descriptive statistics will vary. Descriptive statistics will suit in a situation
where the results are not to be generalized to the whole population.

Select appropriate tables to represent data and analyze collected data:

After deciding on a suitable measurement scale, researchers can use a tabular
format to represent data. This data can be analyzed using various techniques such as
Cross-tabulation.
 WHAT IS IT

Descriptive statistics provide absolute/whole numbers. However, they do not

explain the reasoning behind those numbers. Before applying descriptive statistics,
it’s important to think about which one is the most appropriate for your research
question and what you want to present. For instance, a percentage is a good way to
present the age distribution of respondents.
It should be noted that visual presentations of data findings are insignificant
unless a sound decision is made regarding scales of measurement.
Before any data analysis can begin, the scale of measurement must be decided
for the data as this will have a long-term impact on data interpretation. The varying
scales include:
Nominal Scale: non-numeric categories that cannot be ranked or compared
quantitatively. Variables are exclusive and exhaustive.

Ordinal Scale: exclusive categories that are exclusive and exhaustive but with
a logical order. Quality ratings and agreement ratings are examples of ordinal
scales (i.e., good, very good, fair, etc., or agree, strongly agree, disagree, etc.).

Interval: a measurement scale where data is grouped into categories with

orderly and equal distances between the categories. There is always an
arbitrary zero point.

Ratio: contains features of all three.

Quantitative Data Examples

Listed below are some examples of quantitative data that can help understand
exactly what this refers to:

. I updated my laptop 2 times in a year.

. Our youngest sister grew by 5 inches last year.
. 68 people uploaded the latest mobile application.
. My nephew lost his Php500 last week.
. 100 respondents were of the opinion of their product preference. There will be
50% increase in revenue with the inclusion of a new product.
. 200 people attended the seminar.
. 35% people prefer shopping online instead of going to the mall.
. It has 12 holidays in this year.
. Product X costs Php500.

As you can see in the above examples, there is a numerical value assigned to
each are and this is known as quantitative data.

WHAT`S MORE

Descriptive statistics are most helpful when the research is limited to the sample
and does not need to be generalized to a larger population.
For example, if you are comparing the percentage of adults vaccinated in four
different barangays, then descriptive statistics is enough.
Since descriptive analysis is mostly used for analyzing single variable, it is often
called univariate analysis.
The importance of data interpretation is evident and this is why it needs to be done
correctly. Data is very likely to arrive from multiple sources and tends to enter the
analysis process with tapsy turvy ordering. Data analysis tends to be extremely
subjective. While there are several different types of processes that are implemented
based on individual data nature, the two broadest and most common categories are
“quantitative analysis” and “qualitative analysis”.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

The significant of data interpretation is indisputable. Data analysis and

interpretation are crucial to develop sound conclusions and make better informed
decisions. As such, below is a list-summary of how to interpret data and some tips:

Collect your data and make it as readable as possible.

Choose the type of data analysis to perform: qualitative or quantitative, and

apply the methods respectively.

Qualitative analysis: observe, document and interview notice, collect and

think about things.

Quantitative analysis: research with a lot of numerical data to be analyzed

through various statistical methods such as the descriptive – mean, standard
 deviation or frequency and inferential statistics – Chi square, Pearson Product
moment correlation and the like.

Think: Ponder about your data from various point of views, and what it means
for various respondents.

Reflect: Be aware of the many danger of data analysis and interpretation

brings on. Correlation with causation, subjective ideas and bias, wrong
information and inappropriate data.

WHAT I CAN DO

Suppose a study is conducted to one of the companies in El Salvador city

Misamis Oriental to determine the factors affecting customer preferences among the
residence of one barangays of El Salvador City ages 22 to 60 years old. The following
data were given.

Table 1
Distribution of Respondents by Age

Age Frequency Percent

21 – 30 yrs. old 170 45.33
31 – 40 yrs .old 90 24.00
41 – 50 yrs. old 80 21.33
51 – 60 yrs. old 35 9.33
Total 375 100

Interpretation of Data (Table 1)

Table 2 reveals that almost 45.33 percent of the respondents are in the age
bracket of 21- 30 years old compared to only 9.3 percent in ages 51 – 61 years old
and above and 21.33 percent belonged to the 31- 40 age range.

This age profile is important as it also reflects the current age demographic for
the Filipinos according to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). There is a much
younger age cohort of teachers entering the workforce.

There is a much younger cohort who has the capacity to purchase product and
services.
Table 2 Distribution of Respondents by Sex

Sex Frequency Percent

Male 230 61.33

Female 145 38.67

Total 375 100

Interpretation of Data (Table 2)

Table 2 shows that 61.33 percent of the respondents are female compared to
38.67 percent males. This is representative of the current gender distribution of the
population in the Philippines.
According to Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in 2015 of the total population
in the Philippines, 50.40% are males and the rest are females.
This gender distribution is common among most countries where male becomes
more in population than female (Skelton, 2012).
STOP! Now it`s your turn to answer the following questions below

Supposes a study is conducted to one of the stores in your barangay to

determine the factors affecting customer preferences among the residences ages 22
to 60 years old. The following data were given.

Table 3
Distribution of Respondents by Age

Age Frequency Percent

21 – 30 yrs. old 38 42.22
31 – 40 yrs .old 21 23.33
41 – 50 yrs. old 18 20
51 – 60 yrs. old 13 14.44
Total 90 100

Kindly give your interpretation on the given data in table 3.

________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
 Suppose you want to determine the factors affecting customer preferences
among the residence of one of the barangays of El Salvador City ages 22 to 60 years
old. What particular data analysis method will you use?
________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

ASSESSMENT

Multiple Choice: Encircle the letter of the best answer

1. What does quantitative data refers to?

a. graphs and tables.
b. numerical data that could usefully be quantified to help you answer your
search question(s) and to meet your objectives.
c. any data you present in your report.
d. Statistical analysis
2. Which measure of central tendency is obtained using the middle score when all
scores are organized in numerical order?
a. Mean c. Mode
b. Median d. None of these
3. Which measure of central tendency is obtained by calculating the sum of values
and dividing this figure by the number of values there are in the data set?
a. Mean c. Mode
b. Median d. None of these
4. Which measure of central tendency is derived from the most common value?
a. Mean c. Mode
b. Median d. None of these
5. What method is used to compute average or central value of collected data?
a. measures of positive variation
b. measures of central tendency
c. measures of negative skewness
d. measures of negative variation
6. What does standard deviation refers to?
a. a way of measuring the extent of spread of quantifiable data.
b. inappropriate in management and business research.
c. a way of describing those phenomena that are not the norm.
d. a way of illustrating crime statistics.

For question 7 – 9, refer to the following problem

A survey was conducted to know the audience feedback on a dance
presentation. It asked this question:
“In your opinion, the dance presentation was entertaining, boring or neither?”

Respondents Entertaining Boring neither

A 1
B 1
C 1
D 1
E 1
Total 3 1 1

7. What percentage of the respondents said that the dance presentation is

entertaining?
a.50% c. 70%
b.60% d. 20%
8. What percentage of the respondents said that the dance presentation is boring?
a.50% c. 70%
b.60% d. 20%
9. What percentage of the respondents said that the dance presentation is neither
entertaining or boring?
a.50% c. 70%
b.60% d. 20%
10. The total marks obtained by few students in mathematics exam are 100, 160,
154, 95 and 82. What is the mean?
a.117.2 c. 119.2
b.118.2 d. 120.2
11. The following are the methods use in quantitative data analysis except
a. Data Validation c. Data Coding
b. Data Editing Data Coding d. Data Correction
12. What are the two commonly used tool in quantitative data analysis
a. Descriptive Statistics c. Measures of Central Tendency
b. Inferential Statistics d. both a and b

For question 13 - 14, refer to the following problem

A study conducted to determine G10 students of Molugan National High

School to enroll in ABM strand based on their academic performance and NCAE
result. The following data were given.

Profile of the Participants

Age Frequency Percent
15 5 17.9
16 17 60.7
17 5 17.9
 18 1 3.6
Total 28 100.0
Mean 16.07

Gender
Male 6 21.4
Female 22 78.6
Total 28 100

13. Based on the age of the respondents, what can be inferred?

a. Most of the Grade 10 students were at their correct age level which is
grade 10
b. Only 3.6% of the respondent is 18 years old
c. Most of the grade 10 students age is 16 years old
d. All of the above
14. Based on the respondent’s gender, what can be inferred?
a. Most of the Grade 10 students are female
b. Most of the Grade 10 students are male
c. Both a and b
d. None of the above
15. The following are descriptive statistics use in quantitative research except one.
a. Mean c. Feasibility Study
b. Percentage d. Mode
 ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES

Activity 1
Suppose you want to sell your product to of one of the school canteen of El
Salvador city thus you conducted study to one of the schools in El Salvador city
Misamis Oriental to determine the factors affecting consumer preferences of the
students ages 16 to 19 years old. The following data were given.

Table 1
Distribution of Respondents by Age

Age Frequency Percent

16 yrs. old 370 45.12

17 yrs .old 200 24.39

18 yrs. old 150 18.29

19 yrs. old 100 12.20

Total 820 100

Kindly write your interpretation, based on the data given in table 1. Remember
to write first the comparison and contrast of the data given, its implication to the study
and connect it with your review of related literature.

________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

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Activity 2

The same research study given in activity 1 was conducted. The following data
were given below

Table 2 Distribution of Respondents by Sex

Sex Frequency Percent

Male 430 52.43

 Female 390 47.56

Total 820 100

Kindly write your interpretation, based on the data given in table 2. Remember
to write first the comparison and contrast of the data given, its implication to the
study and connect it with your review of related literature.

______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________
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Activity 3

The same research study given in activity 1 was conducted. The following data
were given below:

Table 3
Distribution of Respondents by Daily Allowance
Percent

Daily Allowance Frequency

Below Php20 120 14.63

Php20 – below Php30 200 24.39

Php30 – below Php40 150 18.29

Php40 – below Php50 100 12.20

Above Php50 250 30.49

Total 820 100

 Kindly write your interpretation, based on the data given in table 3. Remember
to write first the comparison and contrast of the data given, its implication to the study
and connect it with your review of related literature.

________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________

Suppose you want to determine the factors affecting customer preferences

among the residence of barangay Poblacion, El Salvador City ages 22 to 60 years
old. What particular data analysis method will you use?

________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
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