Kumar-2011-Research-Methodology_-A-Step-by-Step-Guide-for-Beginners

Appendix 373
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Exercise V: Developing a frame of analysis
For both quantitative and qualitative studies in general terms describe the strategy you
plan to use for data analysis. Decide whether the data will be analysed manually or by
computer. For computer analysis you need to identify the program you plan to use. Refer to
Chapter 15 for details.
For quantitative studies
You should also specify the type of analysis you plan to carry out – that is, frequency distributions,
cross-tabulations, regression analysis or analysis of variance. It is also important
to plan which variables will be subjected to which type of statistical procedure.
If you have used certain concepts in your study, how will these concepts be operationalised?
For example, if you were measuring the effectiveness of a health programme, how
would the responses to the various questions, designed to find out the effectiveness, be combined
to ascertain effectiveness? Keep in mind that when you actually carry out data analysis,
it is only natural that you will develop new ideas on how to improve the analysis of data.
You should feel free to change the frame of analysis when actually analysing data if you so
desire. This exercise is a rough guide for you to start thinking about analysing your raw data.
Think through the following issues:
1 If you are planning to use a computer for data analysis, what software will you use?
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2 Which variables will you subject to frequency distribution analysis?
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3 Which variables will be cross-tabulated?