Page 314 - DMGT404 RESEARCH_METHODOLOGY

Research Methodology

Notes  Read through all the data.
 Organize comments into similar categories, e.g., concerns, suggestions, strengths,
weaknesses, similar experiences, program inputs, recommendations, outputs, outcome
indicators, etc.
 Label the categories or themes, e.g., concerns, suggestions, etc.

 Attempt to identify patterns, or associations and causal relationships in the themes, e.g.,
all people who attended programs in the evening had similar concerns, most people came
from the same geographic area, most people were in the same salary range, what processes
or events respondents experience during the program, etc.
 Keep all commentary for several years after completion in case needed for future reference.

14.3.3 Interpreting Information

 Attempt to put the information in perspective, e.g., compare results to what you expected,
promised results; management or program staff; any common standards for your products
or services; original goals (especially if you're conducting a program evaluation);
indications or measures of accomplishing outcomes or results (especially if you're
conducting an outcomes or performance evaluation); description of the program's
experiences, strengths, weaknesses, etc. (especially if you're conducting a process
evaluation).

 Consider recommendations to help employees improve the program, product or service;
conclusions about program operations or meeting goals, etc.

 Record conclusions and recommendations in a report, and associate interpretations to
justify your conclusions or recommendations.

14.3.4 Precautions

1. Keep the main objective of research in mind.
2. Analysis of data should start from simpler and more fundamental aspects.

3. It should not be confusing.
4. The sample size should be adequate.
5. Take care before generalising of the sample studied.
6. Give due attention to significant questions.
Caution: In report writing, do not miss the significance of some answers, because they are found
from very few respondents, such as "don't know" or "can't say".

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
7. ………………means bringing out the meaning of data.

8. Successful interpretation depends on how well the data is……………...
9. In the ………………method, one starts from observed data and then generalisation is done

308 LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY