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GUIDELINES IN WRITING CHAPTER 4:
PRESENTATION, DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Presentation of Data
The data presentation section introduces the chapter by indicating order of presentation. It summarizes background information of the respondents and the data collected through literature, survey questionnaires, interviews and observations. Data should be sufficient, valid and accurate; presentation should be clear and logical. It follows the sequence questions raised. The data should adequately answer the research questions. The tables, graphs and figures are appropriately presented, placed, titled, numbered and referred to in the text. The text presents only the highlight of the tables. Appropriate sub-headings are used to facilitate reader perusal of text and presents non-evaluative analysis of data. Presentation should be clear and scholarly done and may come in the form of tables, figures or charts.
Analysis of Data
Analysis refers to the skill of the researcher in describing, delineating similarities and differences, highlighting the significant findings or data and ability to extract information or messages out of the presented data. Interpretation is the explanation or suggestions inferred from the data, their implications but not conclusions. In analyzing data, stress only those important result that gives information that could answer the problem you raised or posed in your study which you stated in Chapter 1. Highlight only those important and unique findings. You have to be consistent and coherent in your approach as well as logical, based on certain academic conventions. Data may be analyzed quantitatively or qualitatively depending on the level of measurement and the number of dimensions and variables of the study. Analyze in depth to give meaning to the data presented in the data presented in the table. Avoid table reading. State statistical descriptions in declarative sentences, (ex. in the studies involving).
Interpretation of Data
Establishes interconnection between and among data. Check for indicators whether hypothesis/es is/are supported or not by findings. Link the present findings with the previous literature. Use parallel observations with contemporary events to give credence presented in the introduction. Present the findings of the study in the order of the specific problem as stated in the statement of the Problem.
Present the data in these forms:
A.Tabular Presentation Tables organize and compress data into standardized forms. They facilitate the study and interpretation. Example:
1 B. Textual Presentation of Data
Presenting the data textually involves using statements with number to describe a given data. It aims to highlight some important data and supplement the tabular or graphical presentation. Example:
C. Graphical Presentation of Data
A graph is a chart representing the quantitative variations of a variable itself or in comparison with those of another variable. Graphing presents variations, changes and relationships of data in a very attractive, appealing, effective and convincing way. The common types of graphs used in research are bar graph, line graph, circle graph, pictogram and map graph. You should only choose the graphs which represent best your data to avoid redundancy.
Bar - vertical, horizontal, Multiple component
2 External Format
The use of tables and graph:
• Tables and graphs are both ways to organize and arrange data so that it is more easily understood by the viewer. • Tables and graphs are related in the sense that the information used in tables is frequently also used for the basis of graphs. • When designing table, keep the format clear and simple. Line up decimal places, note units clearly, use a large enough typeface and construct a clean orderly arrangement of rows and columns. • Bar graphs are an excellent way to show the results that are one time, that are not continuous—especially samplings such as surveys and inventories. • Bar graphs are used to get an overall idea or trends in responses which categories get, many versus few responses. • Bars in a graph should be wider than the spaces between them. • All bars should be of equal width, and all spaces including the space between the axis and the first bar, should be equal of width. • Bars should be neither very thin nor very wide. • Use the same color for all the bars in a graph that are in a single data set. • Use different fill colors for positive and negative values. • Line graph is most useful in displaying data or information that change continuously over time. • The column graph is more similar
3 • Circle or pie graphs are particularly good illustrations when considering how many parts of a whole are inception. • Each slice should be easily distinguished from the rest and clearly labeled. • Use 6 or fewer slices in a graph. • Emphasize a slice in a pie graph by exploding it or by choosing a color different from the rest of the slices. • Number of segments or slices in a pie graph should be limited to those that can be seen and labeled. • Components that are too small to be shown individually can be grouped into one segment labeled other or miscellaneous. • The largest segment conventionally begins at 1200 or at a quarter hour and runs clockwise. Remaining segments continue clockwise. • The most important slice is in the upper-right quadrant.
Other Conventions Regarding Graphics:
1. Keep graphics simple. Design the graphic to help others understand your point. 2. Simplify your data 3. Use consistent symbols 4. Avoid special effects if they do not enhance the point to be made.
Caption, Labels and Lines
Table caption should be the same as that which appears in the list of tables. It is placed above the table unlike that which is used in figures. The caption should tell in precise terms what the table contains.
Other Rules in Caption
1. No terminal punctuation. 2. Unusual abbreviation are not allowed in the table, if necessary, put a legend at the bottom of the table. 3. Captions should be worded as concisely as clarity permits. 4. When a table is placed broadside on a page the caption should be on the binding side. 5. Be consistent in label size, font and style.
Figure (Chart, Graph and Illustration)
1.The research reporter must ask himself the following questions: is the illustration necessary? Does it simply repeat what the text said? 2. Illustrative materials shall be called figures. 3. The figure number and caption should be centered below the illustration. 4. An Arabic numeral is written after the word “Figure” followed by a period. 5. The caption should be brief and explanatory.
