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Research and Scholarship Guide

This guide is an introduction to research questions, data collection, and data analysis.

Descriptive Statistics 

Descriptive statistics include:   

  • Mean the average of a defined dataset. 

  • Median: What is the middle data number when the data points are in order?  

  • Mode: What is the Most Common number in the dataset? 

  • Range: the largest number in the dataset minus the smallest number. 

  • Standard Deviation is a statistical measurement of how spread out the numbers in a dataset are. It can help you understand the variability of your data.   

Interpreting Data

Qualitative data includes interviews, focus groups, or recorded interactions among researchers or participants.  

Coding Data 

Once transcribed, you can code and organize your qualitative data in Excel or Word, using columns for codes and rows for data. Alternatively, you can use qualitative data analysis software to develop themes or topics of interest. 

Qualitative Data Software 

What Qualitative Data software can and can’t do for you.  

This video is about Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software. The video provides a quick overview of the four basic functions of qualitative data analysis software: organization, annotation, search, and display (The Olinger Group, n.d.). 

Software example: NVivo 

NiVivo 14 is a collaborative data analysis software package for MAC or PC. It supports a wide range of data types, including text and video. The tool offers in-depth thematic analysis, pattern identification, and data visualizations (e.g., Charts, Word clouds, etc.) (Lumivero, 2024.) 

Interpreting Quantitative Data 

Quantitative data is any measurement that can be expressed numerically. Some examples of quantitative data include student assessment scores, student age, and revenue. 


Quantitative data is used in experimental research designs and mixed methods. 

Analyzing Quantitative Data 

You can systematically apply statistical analysis to find correlations, test hypotheses, or gain insight into your problem.

Example Statistical Tests

T-Test

A T-test is a statistical test that compares the means of two groups to determine a difference. You can use a T-test to assess the significance of a hypothesis, differences between treatment groups, or if an intervention affects a population.

Regression Analysis 

Regression is a statistical analysis that measures the relationship between two or more quantitative variables (Bevans, 2020b). 

According to Bevans (2020b), Regression Analysis can be used to answer the following questions:  

  • “How strong the relationship is between two variables (e.g., the relationship between rainfall and soil erosion). 
  • The value of the dependent variable at a certain value of the independent variable (e.g., the amount of soil erosion at a certain level of rainfall)” (Bevans, 2020b, Simple Linear Regression). 

Statistical Analysis Software 

Excel can help you determine the mean, median, mode, and range of data. Additionally, it has formulas for finding the standard deviation, distributions, and other statistical analyses. However, researchers can use a variety of Statistical packages in a study.  

Software Example: SPSS 

The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences can perform data management, statistical analysis, and documentation. It is used widely in social sciences, health, and educational research.

Using a T-Test to Measure Learning Gains

A T-test is a statistical test that compares the means of two groups to determine a difference. You can use a T-test to assess the significance of a hypothesis, differences between treatment groups, or if an intervention affects a population. 

Using Regression Analysis to Measure Relationships

Regression is a statistical analysis that measures the relationship between two or more quantitative variables (Bevans, 2020b). 

According to Bevans (2020b) Regression Analysis can be used to answer the following questions:  

  • “How strong the relationship is between two variables (e.g., the relationship between rainfall and soil erosion). 


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