Analyzing Small Group Research DR. Joann Keyton

Collecting and Analyzing Data Validity, reliability, and credibility of the data and research design Quantitative and qualitative research Strengths and limitations Determine applicability of research findings applicability 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

What question do you want to answer? Who is best for answering the question? What data will you collect? How will the data be analyzed? 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Survey Data: Closed Questions Simple yes/no Categorical data Specific piece of information Categorical data – or -- continuous level data Scaled questions Continuous level data Ideal for attitudes and perceptions Can require multiple items to fully explore Needs a stimulus statement 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research Categorical Data One variable Analyze with frequency, chi-square Two variables Analyze with contingency analysis Not valid if less than 5 responses in a cell 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research Limitations of 2 Does not give much information about the strength of the relationship or its substantive significance in the population Sensitive to sample size Size of the calculated chi-square is directly proportional to the size of the sample Sensitive to small expected frequencies in one or more of the cells 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research Continuous Data Scales should Have odd number of responses 5 or 7 point recommended Responses must be balanced and equal distance Assign numerical values to responses; add score Completely satisfied 5 Mostly Satisfied  4 Unsure   3 Dissatisfied  2 Completely 1 Completely satisfied Mostly Satisfied  Unsure   Dissatisfied  Completely 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Descriptive Statistics Mean, standard deviation, and range For every continuous level variable Correlation Linear relationship of two continuous variables t-test Difference between two related groups on a continuous level variable 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research Statistics Excel SPSS SAS R Degree of User Difficulty 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Common Statistical Errors Differences considered significant when they are not Why not significant? Small sample size Sample not representative of population Selected wrong statistic Error in calculation Error in interpretation 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research Statistics Laws of probability Randomness Normal curve 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research Statistics for Small n Analogous to making astronomical observations with binoculars  You’ll find the big things Miss the smaller things Two sample t-test Confidence intervals Statistical Strategies for Small Sample Research Nonparametric statistics 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research Focus Groups Focus group schedule (or questions) Selection and training of moderator Selection of focus group participants Conducting the focus group Analyzing the data Drawing conclusions 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Selecting Focus Group Participants The ideal group They share a characteristic important to the RQ But don’t know one another Enough similarity but with different perspectives How many? 3 to 5 groups better than one big group Conducting the focus group Take advantage of the group dynamic 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Analyzing Focus Group Data Create seating map Create a transcription Do not tidy up participants’ talk No o-o-o-o is not the same as No Notate transcription with nonverbal behaviors Do the data present? Similarities or contradictions Expected or unexpected findings Caution about accepting your first ah-ha 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

What question do you want to answer? Who is best for answering the question? What data will you collect? How will the data be analyzed? 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research

Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research Dr. Joann Keyton Professor, Communication, North Carolina State University Editor, Small Group Research Author, Communication Research Methods Conducts research with qualitative, quantitative, and textual approaches jkeyton@ncsu.edu 6/10/2017 Joann Keyton: Analyzing Small Group Research