Data analysis The

Concept
Approach

to de-synthesizing data,
informational, and/or factual elements to
answer research questions

Method

of putting together facts and figures

to solve research problem

Systematic

process of utilizing data to

address research questions

Breaking

down research issues through

utilizing controlled data and factual
information

Data analysis and

interpretation

Think

about analysis EARLY

Start with a plan
Code, enter, clean
Analyze
Interpret
Reflect

What
What
What
What

did we learn?
conclusions can we draw?
are our recommendations?
are the limitations of our analysis?

Terms
Mean:

The sum of the numbers in a

set of data divided by the number of
pieces of data.
Median: The number in the middle
of a set of data when the data are
arranged in order from least to
greatest. When there are 2 middle
numbers, the median is the number
that is halfway between the two
middle numbers.

Terms
Mode:

The number that occurs most

frequently in a set of numbers.
Range: The difference between the
largest and smallest values in a
numerical data set.

Finding the Mean

Step

1: Add all numbers in your set of

data.
Step 2: Divide the sum by the number of
pieces of data.

Example:
Set of Data: 15, 15, 14, 16
Sum: 60
Total number of pieces of
data: 4

Finding the Median

Step

1: Put all numbers in order

from least to greatest.
Step 2: Find the middle number.

Example:
Set of Data: 15, 15, 14, 16
Ordered: 14, 15, 15, 16
Middle Number: 15 and 15

Finding the Mode

Step

1: Put all numbers in order from

least to greatest.
Step 2: Find the most popular number.

Example:
Set of Data: 15, 15, 14, 16
Ordered: 14, 15, 15, 16
Mode: 15

Finding the Range

Step

1: Put all numbers in order

from least to greatest.
Step 2: Subtract the lowest number
from the highest number.

Example:
Set of Data: 15, 15, 14, 16
Ordered: 14, 15, 15, 16
Range: 16 14 = 2

Types of Graphs
Bar Graph
Circle Graph
Line Graph
Line Plot Graph
Venn Diagram
Pictograph

Bar Graph
Definition: a graph that
shows data using
horizontal or vertical
bars.
Advantages:
Easy to read
Compares multiple sets
of data
Disadvantages
Not best for showing

Circle Graph
Definition: A graph that
shows data in the form
of a circle.
Advantages:
Shows percentages
Shows how a total is
divided into parts
Disadvantages
Not best for showing
trends

Line Graph
Definition: A graph that
shows data in the form
of a line.
Advantages:
Shows change over
time
Helps you see trends
Disadvantages
Not easy to use to
compare different

Pictograph
Definition: A graph that
displays data using
symbols or pictures.
Advantages:
Compares multiple sets
of data
Visually appealing
Disadvantages
Hard to read when
there are parts of

Line Plot Graph

Definition: A graph that
uses symbols above a
number line to display
data.
Advantages:
An easy way to organize
data
Disadvantages
Only good for one group
of data and cannot be
used to compare different

Venn Diagram
Definition: Circles that
show relationships
among sets.
Advantages:
Shows comparisons and
contrasts easily.
Disadvantages
Does not show trends