Chapter 6: Data Analysis and Interpretation. Data Analysis and Interpretation. After today’s activity you should be able to: Define data analysis and data interpretation Identify appropriate data analysis techniques for your action research project - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.zAll rights reserved.z
The Role of Analysis
Data analysis is an attempt by the teacher researcher to summarize the data that have been collected in a dependable, accurate, reliable, and correct manner.
It is the presentation of the findings in a manner that has an air of undeniability.
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.zAll rights reserved.z
Analyzing an Interview
Another common form of qualitative data that are analyzed by action researchers are interview data, most commonly in the form of a transcript from the audio tape of the interview.
Carefully read the transcript along with your notes from the interview in order to identify the broad themes and categories that emerge from the interview.
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.zAll rights reserved.z
Asking Key Questions
Extend your understanding of the problems and context by asking questions such as:– Who is centrally involved? – Who has resources?– What major activities, events, or issues
are relevant to the problem?
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.zAll rights reserved.z
Doing an Organizational Review
Focus on the following features of your school:– vision and mission– goals and objectives– structure– operation etc.– As you work through these issues you
will extend your understanding of the school.
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.zAll rights reserved.z
Data Interpretation Techniques
Be prepared to demonstrate to others that in spite of the modest scope of your research that your work has implications that are/may be socially significant.
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.zAll rights reserved.z
Seek the Advice of “Critical” Friends
If you have difficulty focusing an interpretive lens on your work, rely on your trusted colleagues to offer insights that you may have missed because of your closeness to the work.
But beware! The more opinions you seek the more you will receive!!
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.zAll rights reserved.z
Know When to Say “When”!
Finally, if you don’t feel comfortable with offering an interpretation, don’t do it. Be satisfied with suggesting what needs to be done next and use that as a starting point for the next action research cycle.
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458All rights reserved.zAll rights reserved.z
Share Your Interpretations Wisely
Avoid being evangelical about your interpretations, connect them closely to your data and analysis, and share your newfound understandings with colleagues in an appropriate manner.
•Geoffrey E. MillsGeoffrey E. Mills
Action Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3eAction Research: A Guide for the Teacher Researcher, 3e