Unit 9

Analysing Qualitative Data

Action Plan Tasks:

• Organizing Numerical Variables
• Visualizing Categorical Variables
• Visualizing Numerical Values
• Visualizing Two Numerical Variables
• Charts Worksheet

Reflection:

What?

During this unit, I will be looking at the different methods available for analysing qualitative data. Inherently, qualitative data may be interpreted in a number of ways. The researcher is faced with the challenge of remaining objective. I must keep this in mind when presenting my findings if this is the type of data I am likely to obtain.

So What?

As a result of this week's exercises, I have a better understanding of how to present and communicate data once it has been processed and visualized. A number of different diagrams such as clustered column bar charts and histograms were used to compare the three data sets. At first glance, these data sets do not appear incredibly complex; nevertheless, with data visualization, one can derive some interesting results.

As part of my literature review, I began reading the literature prior to the data analysis. In the course of developing my research proposal, I will be looking for knowledge gaps that can be used to formulate research questions.

What next?

Next week, I need to spend more time to finalize the research proposal due for next week.