Converting Data to Information

Converting Data to Information

• Know your data

• Know your audience

• Tell a story
 Know Your Data
• Construct simple frequency distribution for
every variable
• Examine data distribution
• Identify “meaningful” indicator to
summarize
• N = number
• % = percentage
• Mean
 Know Your Data
• Examine “indicator” for patterns across
subgroups within your sample
• Sex
• Race/Ethnicity
• Class level
• College of Enrollment
• Program participation/Non-participation
Converting Data to Information -
Examples
 Converting Data to Information -
Examples
Mean SAT To tal Test Sco re by Ethnic Gro up
Fall & Summer First Time in Co lleg e Freshmen 1986 to 1995

1300
1250 White/Asian Am.
1200
1150 Hispanic
1100 African Am.
1050
1000
950
900
850
800
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
 Converting Data to Information -
Examples
SAT Total Score Range s (Middle 50%) by Ethnicity for the
Ente ring Class of 1996

1400
1350
1300
1250
1200 SAT 25 percentile
1150 SAT 50 percentile
1100 SAT 75 percentile
1050
1000
950
900
White Black Asian Hispanic
 Converting Data to Information -
Examples
Mean First Year Cumulative GPA by SAT Total Test Score Category by
Ethnicity for the Entering Classes of 1992-1994
All University -- White Versus Hispanic

4.00
3.50
3.00
2.50 White
2.00
1.50 Hispanic
1.00
0.50
0.00
Less 0800 to 0900 to 1000 to 1100 to 1200 to 1300 to 1400 to Total
than 0890 0990 1090 1190 1290 1390 1600 Group
800
The Extent to Which 35 Abilities and Skills Were Enhanced by the
Undergraduate Program (N=1775 Alumni)
Average Response (Scale of 1 to 5)

Exercise personal responsibility 8 3.9 70

Maintain openness to new ideas 8 3.9 68
Think analytically & logically 8 3.8 66
Function independently 9 3.8 66
Learn how to learn 17 3.8 64
Exercise self-discipline 11 3.8 63
Acquire new skills & knowledge 10 3.7 59
Adapt to social situations 17 3.5 53
Listen effectively 15 3.5 50
Understand myself 17 3.4 50

Exercise problem solving skills 16 3.4 49

Write effectively 17 3.4 47

Possess clear goals 18 3.3 43

Speak effectively 23 3.3 43

Carry out research 26 43
3.2
27 3.2 41
Relate to people of different races
3.2 41
Know literature of recognized merit 29
0 20 40 60 80 100
100 80 60 40 20 0
Percent responding 1 or 2(low) Percent responding 4 or 5(high)
on a 5 point scale on a 5 point scale
 The Extent to Which 35 Abilities and Skills Were Enhanced by
the Undergraduate Program (N=1775 Alumni)
Average Response (Scale of 1 to 5)

Evaluate and choose among alternatives 11 3.2 39

Understand cultural differences 34 3.1 39
Be effective team member 27 3.1 38
Produce scholarship 33 3.0 37
Analyze literature critically 35 3.0 37
Understand scientific findings 36 3.0 37
Cope with conflict 28 3.1 36
Appreciate artistic expression 36 2.9 34
Use statistics 37 2.9 34
Place problems in historical perspective 35 3.0 32
Understand math concepts 41 2.8 32
Take moral & ethical action 37 2.9 31
Employ scientific methods 42 2.8 31
Lead and supervise others 38 2.9 30
Solve math problems 44 2.7 30
45 2.7 29
Analyze scientific data
Use foreign language skills 58 2.4 27
Utilize computing skills 61 2.2 19

100 80 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 60 80 100

Percent responding 1 or 2(low) Percent responding 4 or 5(high)

on a 5 point scale on a 5 point scale
 Know Your Data

• Small Group Exercise