Skip to Main Content

Research Methods

This research methods guide will help you choose a methodology and launch into your research project.

Data Analysis & Presentation Techniques for Survey & Interview Research

  • Document data and the process of data collection.
  • Analyze rather than describe the data. Use the data to tell the story that answers your research questions.
  • Use charts/tables to help the reader understand the data. Highlight interesting findings.
  • Summarize the main themes and their relation to the research question rather than all the responses.
  • State "most people said" or "few people found" instead of the number of people who said something.
  • Use brief quotes that illustrate points well.
  • Respect confidentiality by attributing a quote to "a student" or "a parent" rather than Dr. John Doe.

Interview Data Analysis

  • Data Reduction and Organization: Interviews can generate a large quantity of information (e.g., one hour can result in 25 pages of text). Organize notes around themes and identify data for future analysis.
  • Conceptualization: Categorize the data into concepts. The following questions can help:
    • What are the main issues or themes that stood out in the interview?
    • Anything else that was important, interesting, or illuminating about the interview?
    • What information was obtained (or failed to obtain) on each question posed during the interview?
  • Connection of the Data: Connect data around themes and concepts (e.g. one concept may influence another).
  • Examine Relationships: This is the center of analysis and moves from description of people and settings to explanations of why events happened to people in a setting.

Survey Data Analysis

  • Online survey software will automatically collate data and can be downloaded.
  • Paper questionnaires need to be manually transferred to a spreadsheet (e.g,. put the question number as the column heading and use the rows for each answer. Assign the answers a number or "code.")
  • Once data is organized, calculate how many selected each response.
  • Display response data in tables, graphs, or charts.
  • Use statistical and analytical reporting if needed.