Chapter 14

ANALYZING QUANTITATIVE DATA

Learning Objectives
1. Learn quantitative data analysis.
2. Interpret the quantitative data.
3. Determine the stages of data analysis.
Overview
1. Discussion
2. Variable in Quantitative Data Analysis
3. Measures of Central Tendency
4. Dispersion Measures
5. Basic Statistical Analysis
6. Inferential Statistics
7. Graphing of Data
8. Data Analysis Process Stages

1. Discussion
Data analysis cannot be used directly in actual gathering of data. Due to the fact that real-
life data or the raw data have different types of errors and problems and also unorganized. After
gathering raw data, it will now be converted into information that may be useful to the
researcher. Analyzed data can answer or explains different queries, theories and questions. It can
be both categorical and numerical. Pre-existing data, surveys, measurement and statistics and
questionnaire are the focus of measurable data collection. To control and address the
accumulation of facts or data, it is necessary to study research problems. It is essential to
compare current values with the previous one and consider question scales before analyzing data
to encode the open and closed questions and to form coding frames for it to be analyzed easily
(Pal, 2017).
Quantitative data can obtain complex values. Thus, it may be calculated using a
calculator or sometimes software is needed to quickly generate the results. It is actually looking
at the numbers and gathering results based on the numbers. Numeric and quantifiable
information of data that usually uses mathematical calculations and sometimes statistical
analysis. In conceptual, quantitative deals more with the behavior of how a person see
themselves or other things. Quantitative data begins from a hypothesis which needs to conduct
tests to gather the results and creating generalizations or often called as discussions. It requires
research to be valid and reliable for it to become useful in the field.
2. Variable in Quantitative Data Analysis
Variable is the element of measurement in quantitative analysis, it may consist of more
than one value. Cause and effect are called independent and dependent variables respectively.
When the independent variables affect dependent variable, there is intervening variable.

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 Nominal variables, interval variables and ordinal variables are the different level
variables used in data analysis. Levels are necessary to determine what type of analysis can be
carried out on with each and every variable present in analysis.
2.1 Nominal Variables
No assumptions can be done around relations of the variables. The value for each are as
distinct as categories cannot be ranked and serves only as labels. Nominal level variables are
considered as the lowest level of measurement.
2.2 Ordinal Variables
According to some criteria, variables are being ranked in this level of measurement. It
uses parameters or scales. Nominal variable are alike to the Ordinal variables. The only
dissimilarity between the two is there are clear ordering of variables.
2.3 Interval Variables
Among all of the level variables, the interval is considered as the highest unit of
measurement. Interval variables contain data that have measurable and meaningful distance
among values.
2.4 Dichotomous Variable
It consists of variable with only two values and can also be called as dummy according to
Patel (2009). This type of variable can be quantitative value or qualitative.
Quantitative data analysis uses statistics for two purposes, namely, descriptive statistics
and inferential statistics. To define the data being gathered, descriptive statistics are used.
According to Patel (2009), before starting any kind of analysis, researchers performs descriptive
analysis.
3. Measures of Central Tendency
3.1 Median
The middle value of a range of values that can be used with ordinal, ratio or interval
measurements and assumptions are needed not to be done is called median. Also, resistant
measure is another term for the median in which, it is not affected by changes. Less impact to the
median compared to the mean are the outliers (GAO, 1992).
3.2 Mean
Commonly known as the arithmetic average. Mean can be calculated by adding up the
number of observation values and dividing it to the amount of observation. Commonly, it is used
as a measure of the central tendency in the interval variables. If distribution is markedly
asymmetric or numerous circumstances are outliers, selecting the mean may not provide
promising results. According to GAO (1992), the presence of few extreme values that may give
distorted view of central tendency is being strongly influenced by the mean.
3.3 Mode

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 Most observed and occurring value in a set of range is called mode. It is less used in any
other levels of measurement and it is commonly engaged with the nominal variable.
4. Dispersion Measures
4.1 Range
It is the maximum and the minimum value in a range of data. According to Patel (2009),
it is simply “highest value of a variable minus the lowest value of that variable”.
4.2 Interquartile Range
It focuses on the difference between first quartile and the third quartile to eliminate the
outliers. Interquartile is as a strong measure of sample dispersion, and it is considered the middle
value of the upper and lower halves of the data.
4.3 Standard deviation
It is used for comparing sets of data that contain the same mean but has a different range
of data. Spread of data about the mean is what the standard deviation measures. In obtaining a
standard deviation value in a set of data, it is simply the square root of the value of the computed
variance.
4.4 Other measures
Percentages
A particular kind of scale that is commonly used with a measure of 1 up to 100.
Ratios
It is used to compare two values. For illustration, it is simply, A:B or can be read as A is
to B. It can be computed as, A divided by B.
Proportions
It is the denominator and is the total number of cases of proportions. Ratios are related to
proportions. If ratios are proportional, it means that they divide into the same number. For
example, in cooking, to marinate 9 pieces of wings of chicken, I can use 1 bottle of oyster sauce.
In ratio form, the piece of chicken to the bottle of oyster sauce is 9:1. To cook for a bigger
amount, I can use the proportion to measure the amount. I doubled the ratio by 18:2. Proportions
can be applied since they both divide into the same number.
The steps involved in analyzing quantitative data are: first, identifying the scales of
measurement as to nominal, ordinal, interval, and dichotomous. This step will help the researcher
in determining and answering the question on how to best organize data. The next step is
summarizing and describing the data using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages,
mean, median, mode, and range.
5. Basic Statistical Analysis
Each variable can be described in numerous ways using descriptive analysis. Inferential statistics
are also used in quantitative data analysis to predict certain instances and to infer according to
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the data that tries to come up with an idea that’s beyond the existing data. Gathered data is used
in drawing inferences or conclusions and may refer it as statistical inference.
Inferential Statistics may use T-tests, analysis of variance or ANOVA, correlation tests, multiple
linear regression, simple linear regression, and to analyze and understand the data gathered in
conducting the study.

6. Inferential Statistics
6.1 T-test
To test if the means of the groups are statistically different.
6.2 ANOVA
The test for analysis of variance or t ANOVA can be used to test the differences between
means of groups at once. The test may be one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA or MANOVA.
One-way ANOVA tests the means of unlike groups if they are common or not. Two-way
ANOVA is applied when the groups that undergo in some series of tests has two distinctive
feature characteristics instead of only one. While MANOVA, can be applied in multiple analysis
of variance.
6.3 Correlation Tests
A single number that states the degree of connections of the two variables. The amount
measures when independent variable predicts the dependent variable.
6.4 Simple linear regression
It determines the range in which the variable that is dependent is being predicted by the
variable that is independent and inform how well do line matches the data. It will seek to look
the best “fit” in the middle of two or more variables.
6.5 Multiple linear regression
Measures how fine the value of a dependent variable that is to be predicted by multiple
independent variables.

Hypothesis testing can be drawn based from statistical analysis. Null hypothesis states the
population of the study that the researcher is trying to test. An alternative statement, or the
alternative hypothesis is the statement that will against the null. If the hypotheses are stated, if
one must be true and the other must be false. They must be mutually exclusive. Tests can be
done using inferential statistics. After conducting the test and the release of the results, it must be
interpreted to identify if hypotheses can be accepted or rejected.
Analysis can be done using univariate analysis if one variable is used to draw
conclusions. Univariate analysis analyzed each one at a time. If there are two variables, bivariate
analysis can be used. Bivariate analysis involves tabulation, specifically a cross tabulation type

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of information. Analysis can be done using T-test, ANOVA, correlation tests and the simple
linear regression. Tabulation of data are very helpful to simply illustrate analysis and to interpret
it easier. Cross tabulations, can be used by nominal, by ordinal, or any level of data as it treats all
the data as a categorical data or nominal level data. If there are three or more variables,
multivariate analysis is used. Multivariate analysis included MANOVA test that other about it.

7. Graphing of Data
It is important to provide the illustration or visualization of the data because it tells the
progression of the results. Graphing of data allows the researcher to check if there are unseen
patterns that vary. There are many ways on how to create different kinds of graphs used in
quantitative analysis. Graphing of data can be done in Microsoft Office Excel and can be easily
transferred to Microsoft Word for documentation and written analysis of the generated data.
7.1 Line Graphs
Known as line chart, that presents the relative graph visually consists with horizontal and
environmental with the use of lines. A sample is shown in the Figure 14.1.

Rise in members 2000-2009

1600

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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Figure 14.1. Line Graph Example

(Source: Research Methods: Structuring Inquiries and Empirical Investigations)

Figure 14.1 shows the graph in Rise in members on the year 2000-2009. Here, the graph is seen
to be incremental every year. It arises consistently from the year 2000 until year 2009.

7.2 Bar Chart

To represent quantitative data, bar graph data can be used. This type of data
representation allows easy comparisons among the set of data yet, it does not reflect tends that
are all shown in Figure 14.2.

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 Rise in members 2000-2009
1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

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2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Figure 14.2. Example of a Bar Graph

(Source: Research Methods: Structuring Inquiries and Empirical Investigations)

After graphing details per year in the rise member, it observed that values are obtaining high
values every year. Graphs give the researchers the visual representation of data for them to attain
different conclusion and also to check if the data were analyzed correctly and all of it where
included because sometimes, the researcher tends to overlook some points, especially if the data
given were not arranged graphically.

Rise in members 2000-2009

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0
1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010

Figure 14.3. Example of a Scattergram

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 (Source: Research Methods: Structuring Inquiries and Empirical Investigations)

Figure 14.3 shows an example of a graph called scattergram. In this figure, it represents the data
in scatter points. It used the relationship between the two continuous variables and plotted as it
forms to set of points which indicates relations among each of the data. It is used to give a good
presentation for a bivariate data. It illustrates the relationship of two variables given.

It is important to illustrate graphs in doing research. It gives not only the researcher a clear image
regarding the data gathered, but also how will the data progress in a certain period. Also, by
means of graphing, the researcher can also display a large amount of quantities that are too
complicated for it to be explained clearly by the researcher. Graphing is very essential in the
process of analysis. Usually, graphs are being use in a huge set of quantities to predict any
significant trend or trends with the progression. Researcher must also assure that whatever types
of graphs he/she will use, it must be clear and readable to avoid misinformation and a wrong
interpretation of the results.
8. Data Analysis Process Stages
The analysis in quantitative data contains of four stages of processing. Descriptive
analysis is the first stage. It is just illustrating or describing with what you observed based on
your data. Next, which is considered as the second stage, is the interpretation of data. This
involves the explanation of the reason behind, or the meaning of the data you described during
the first stage of processing. The conclusions stage is the third stage. It is about drawing the
conclusions according to what are your descriptions and interpretations to the data. Lastly, the
fourth and final stage is called as the theorization or theory. In this state of processing data
analysis, you are going to make theories to produce a new idea or concept that add up to the
existing body of knowledge we have. It is just need to be aligned with what theories you include
in your review of related literature to assure that you are having conclusions according from your
referenced set of theories.
The following are the logic of four frameworks approach to research project:
8.1 Conceptual Framework
All of the key concept guides the construction and the search for the literature review.
The whole research project lies on the conceptual framework of research study.
8.2 Theoretical Framework
It contains all of the literature review of the research project that is being guided by the
Conceptual Framework. The theoretical framework is the source of all of the possible
information and process that will the research may be done.
8.3 Methodological Framework
It contains the whole methodology of the research project and contains all of the details
on how the research was carried out. The conceptual framework and theoretical framework
guides the direction of the methodological framework. Aims and objectives of the research are
stated in the conceptual framework. The theoretical framework guide and leads the questions
stated in the conceptual framework to somehow certain answers.

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8.4 Analytical Framework
In a data analysis, all data gathered for the research are all contained in the analytical
framework. It focuses on the data that will suffice to the statement of the problem or the research
questions of research project to remind the researcher in all the things that she/he needs to be
accomplished based on the statement indicated in specific aims and objectives of the research.

End of Chapter Questions

 What is Quantitative Data Analysis?
 What are the measures of central tendency?
 Differentiate the between variables to ordinal variable and nominal variables.
 Define what is mean.
 What is the difference between first quartile and the third quartile to eliminate the
outliers?
 What are ANOVA and MANOVA differences?
 Define Simple Linear Regression.
 State why graphing is necessary.
 State the types of graphs.
 What are the four stages in data analysis?
 What are the four stages of the process of data analysis?

References
General Accounting Office of US (GAO) (1992). Quantitative Data Analysis An Introduction,
Report to Program Evaluation and Methodology Division, pp 8-34.
Pal, A. (2017). Quantitative Data Analysis and Representation, International Journal of
Engineering Science and Computing, pp 4853-4856.
Patel, P. (2009). Introduction to Quantitative Methods, pp 2-14.
Research Methods: Structuring Inquiries and Empirical Investigations