DISPLAYING DATA

Having analysed data the next step is to present findings effectively to readers. The main purpose of using data display techniques is to make the findings clear and easily understood. The choice of particular method of display should determined primarily by your impressions/knowledge of your likely readership familiarity with the topic and with research and statistics.

Three Forms of data Presentation These are: Narrative Tables Graphs

Narrative Data Presentation It involves presentation of data by means of essays without drawing any table or graph. The presentation involves actually quoting what has been said by the respondents For e.g. “ Tinofanira kudzokera palevel yatanga tiri muna 2000” ( we should go back to level that we where in 2000). You should first express it in the manner that it has been said by the respondents and then give an English interpretation of the expression.

Most common in qualitative research where it is difficult to quantify and categorize the responses. Also used in in-depth researches when unstructured interviews an d focus group discussions are used as research instruments.

TABLES Presentation Tables are the most common method of presenting analysed data Tables offer useful means of presenting large amounts of detailed information in a small space (The Chikago Manual style1991:321)

Tables are used where data can be categorized or grouped into certain classes. It is easier to count frequencies on such group or classes depending on customer responses.

STRUCTURES A table has the following parts 1. Title This normally indicates the table’s number and describes the type of data it contains. It is important to give each table its own number as you will need to refer to the tables when interpreting and discussing the data

In projects/dissertations it is easier to identify tables by chapter numbers followed by sequential number of table in the chapter. The description accompanying the table number must clearly specify the contents of the table

2. Column headings The sub-categories of a variable, listed along the X-axis. In a univariate table the caption is usually number of respondents In a bivariate table it is the sub-categories of one of the variables displayed in the column headings.

3. Body The cells housing the analysed data. 4.Supplementary notes There are four types of footnotes: Source notes Other general notes Notes on specific parts of the table Notes on the level of probability.

GRAPHS Statistical data not only requires careful analysis but also attractive display for easier understanding and communication. The main objective of a graph is to present data in a way that is easy to understand and interpret and interesting to look at it. Graph presentation often makes it easier to see the pertinent features of a set of data (Minium 1978)

Graphs can be constructed for every type of data-qualitative or quantitative and for any variable measured on a nominal, ordinal, interval or ratio scale. Your decision to use a particular type should be made on the basis of the measurement scale. It is important to keep in mind the measurement scale when it comes to interpretation.

Types of Graphs Histograms Bar charts Frequency Polygon Pie charts Line graphs The scattergrams

A graph has the following parts 1. Title This normally indicates the graph’s number and describes the type of data it contains. It is important to give each graph its own number as you will need to refer to the graphs when interpreting and discussing the data

In projects/dissertations it is easier to identify graphs by chapter numbers followed by sequential number of graph in the chapter. The description accompanying the graph number must clearly specify the contents of the graph.

2. Axis headings The sub-categories of a variable, listed along the X-axis and frequency along the Y-axis. In a simple graph like bar-graph the X-axis is usually the attributes of the variable while the Y-axis the percentage frequency of the respondents.

3. Body The bars or proportions housing the analysed data. These proportions should be labelled with their percentages representing the bars or proportions. If there are multiple aspects to be presented a key can also be shown to represent the attributes.

4.Supplementary notes There are four types of footnotes: Source notes Other general notes Notes on specific parts of the graph

Interpretation of Analyzed Data There are three important things to know and understand when interpreting data: 1. Explaining what is being reflected in the graph or table 2. Giving the implication of the results in line with your study. 3. Linking your results to what have been reviewed in literature.

Explaining what is being reflected in the graph or table This involves describing what is being displayed by the graph or table. It involves explaining the frequencies of the bars or proportion or cells of the table in line with the attributes being presented. If they are few bars, proportions or cells, you can explain everything. If they are many, the rule is to explain the ones with the highest, middle and lowest.

You explanation should be in relative frequencies or percentages and not in absolute figure. For eg. Table 4.1 shows that 50% of respondents……… ……………………………………………………………………. Never describe your information be saying, eg. Table 4.1 shows that 20 out of 40 respondents ……….. …………………………………………………………………………………. Remember you are using a sample therefore we use more of relative frequencies.

Giving the implication of the results in line with your study. The implication shows your understanding of how your results relate to what is expected. The implications can also be linked to the objectives of the study, for eg. There the results imply that ……….. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Linking your results to what have been reviewed in literature. It is important to discuss your results in line with literature reviewed. This is important as it links results to what is already known. This helps to check whether your results are different from what have been obtained from different forms of literature reviewed. This would also assist in making recommendations.

The arguments provided may be: The results are in line with the research obtained by Sanders et al (2009) in that…………………………………. …………………………………………………………………………….. The results are different from the results provided by Sanders et al (2009) in that ………………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………

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