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RESEARCH SERVICES POLICIES AND GUIDELINES 39

4. Methods of Data Analysis

Data analysis is the process of transforming the collected data into useful information.
Data analysis involves three major steps: data preparation, descriptive statistics and
inferential statistics.

● Data preparation
Data preparation involves the checking of the collected data for accuracy, data
encoding or data entry into an appropriate computer, transforming the data into
desired structure, and developing a database that integrates the various data
into usable forms.

● Descriptive statistics
Descriptive statistics refers to a description of the basic features of the data for
the study. Describing what the data is all about, descriptive statistics generally
provides simple summaries about the collected data and includes tables, graphs,
charts, photographs, diagrams generally called figures. These figures are essential
as they give a great deal of information more easily seen than text and therefore
readily understandable by the reader especially when they are visually attractive.
Diagrams show the most relevant or important information.

● Inferential statistics
In many researches, the analysis extends beyond descriptive statistics especially
when testing hypotheses or in modeling. Through inferential statistics, the
researcher tries to infer from a given sample data what the population really is or
make probability statements on the differences between groups as a dependable
judgment or had simply happened by chance. Hence, inferential statistics is
used to make inferences about the data to the general conditions and these are
linked to specific research questions or hypotheses that were formulated in the
significance of the project.

It is important to present simple data in order not to confuse the readers and
where conditions do not warrant, the details of the data may be provided in the
appendices.

m. Timetable of planned activities

The timetable of planned activities is usually presented using a Gantt Chart illustrating
the chronology of events or sequence of activities to be conducted. It generally provides
answers on the expected time of completion of the activities as planned and the delivery
of the desired outputs.

The various activities of the research should be properly planned in order not to delay
completion. Following the plan is absolutely necessary but it should be flexible enough
to allow for adjustments or revisions without substantially altering the delivery of
outputs within the bounds of reasonable time.

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