RESEARCH METHOD COHEN ok

Part Five
Data analysis
This is an entirely new part in this edition,
and comprises five chapters on data analysis, of
which two are on qualitative data analysis, two
are on quantitative data analysis, and one is
on choosing the more suitable statistical tests.
These chapters are accompanied by extensive
materials and references to the companion web
site, and we advise readers to go to these. The
chapters on qualitative data analysis take readers
from first principles to more complex issues of
content analysis and grounded theory, making
the point that texts – data – are multilayered
and open to a variety of interpretations. We
indicate in practical terms how researchers can
analyse and present qualitative data, including
an introduction to the principles that are the
foundation to such approaches. In quantitative
data we assume that researchers not only will
have no experience of statistics but also may
be frightened off by them! Hence we take
readers by the hand from very first principles
to more complex statistical processes. We take
care to explain the foundations, principles and
concepts underlying the statistical procedures,
and deliberately avoid introducing formulae and
numbers, except where they are helpful. To
accompany the chapters on statistical treatments
of numerical data we use SPSS analysis, and
the web site includes an easy-to-use manual to
introduce novice researchers to SPSS. For both
the qualitative and quantitative data analysis
we provide practical advice – including sample
phrases and choice of words – on how to report
results and findings.