Page 24 - SREENARAYANAGURU OPEN UNIVERSITY

g. Analysis of data

All the data gathered in the previous step is meaningless unless
it is subjected to data analysis. The processing of this raw data
will yield some useful information. Data analysis is the study of
◆ Processing of data tabulated material in order to determine inherent facts or meanings.
It entails breaking down existing complex factors into simpler parts
and arranging the parts in new ways for interpretation purposes.
Data analysis is concerned with reducing the bulk of accumulated
data to manageable size. It involves the following procedures.

◆ Editing
The first step in data processing is editing. The process of
examining the data collected in a questionnaire/schedule
◆ Data correction to detect errors and omissions and ensuring that they are
corrected and the schedules are ready for tabulation is known
as editing. When all of the data has been collected, a final and
thorough check is performed.

◆ Coding

Coding is the process/ operation by which data/responses
◆ Organised data are organised into classes/categories and numerals or other
symbols are given to each item according to the classes in
which it falls. In other words coding involves two important
operations:
* Deciding the categories to be used.

* Allocating individual answers to them.
◆ Tabulation

Tabulation is the process of summarising raw data and
displaying it in compact form for further analysis. Analysis
◆ Table form
of data is made possible through tables. Therefore, preparing
tables is a very important step. Tabulation may be by hand,
mechanical or electronic.

◆ Statistical analysis
In the last stage, the tabulated data is analysed using
various statistical techniques like averages, percentages,
◆ Inferences trend analysis, correlation and regression techniques etc..

Statistical analysis these days has become highly dependent
on computers and software that are readily available in the
market.

h. Testing of hypotheses
Post analysis of data, researchers will now move ahead to test
the hypothesis that he had formulated in the beginning of the
research process. There are various parametric and non-parametric

18 SGOU - SLM -MCom Research Methodology