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Sma4801 Lu9 Quantitative Data Analysis

This document provides an overview of quantitative data analysis and interpretation. It discusses key topics like levels of measurement, hypotheses testing, categories of analysis, and selecting the appropriate statistical test. The learning unit aims to help students understand fundamental quantitative analysis concepts. It emphasizes understanding measurement, descriptive and inferential statistics, and relationship analysis between one, two, and multiple variables. Students are encouraged to identify appropriate tests based on their research questions and data.

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Molepa Isaac Seabela
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22 views

Sma4801 Lu9 Quantitative Data Analysis

This document provides an overview of quantitative data analysis and interpretation. It discusses key topics like levels of measurement, hypotheses testing, categories of analysis, and selecting the appropriate statistical test. The learning unit aims to help students understand fundamental quantitative analysis concepts. It emphasizes understanding measurement, descriptive and inferential statistics, and relationship analysis between one, two, and multiple variables. Students are encouraged to identify appropriate tests based on their research questions and data.

Uploaded by

Molepa Isaac Seabela
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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9 LEARNING UNIT 9
9 QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

9.1 INTRODUCTION
Quantitative data analysis can be a complex process that is made easier by following
a step-by-step process, utilising the aid of computerised data analysis software. A
well-designed quantitative study will facilitate the collection and analysis of primary
research data. Throughout the quantitative research process, ethical principles need
to be applied.
Learning unit 9 is intended to help you understand the important concepts of
quantitative data analysis and interpretation. Chapter 13 of the prescribed book
(Fouché, C.B., Strydom, H. & Roestenburg, W.J.H. [Eds.]. 2020. Research at grass roots
– for the social sciences and human services professions. 5th edition. Cape Town: Van Schaik
– ISBN 9780627038211) is titled quantitative data analysis and interpretation.
In this chapter, the fundamentals of measurement and analysis, the methods and
processes of analysis and selecting the right statistical test are discussed.

FIGURE 9.1
Module outline (lesson 8)
66
LEARNING UNIT 9: Quantitative data analysis

9.2 LEARNING OUTCOMES


After working through this learning unit and the relevant parts of the prescribed
book, you should be able to:

• demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of measurement and analysis


• discuss the nature of data coding
• explain the differences between univariate, bivariate and multivariate data analysis
• know how to apply statistical interpretation

9.3 CONTENT OF THE LEARNING UNIT


To achieve the aim and learning outcomes of this unit, you will cover the following
topics in chapter 13 of the prescribed book:

(1) fundamentals of measurement and analysis


(2) methods and processes of analysis
(3) selecting the right statistical test

After reading and thinking about the contents of chapter 13 of the prescribed book,
you will have to explain the concepts of quantitative data analysis and interpretation.

9.4 KEY CONCEPTS


The following key terms are important in this learning unit:

• alternative hypothesis • linearity • ordinal variables


• analysis of variance • mode • partial correlation
(ANOVA) • median • ratio variables
• bivariate • mean • significance
• causality • multiple regression • standard deviation
• central tendency • multivariate • t-test
• correlation • nominal variables • two-tailed hypothesis
• cross-tabulation • null hypothesis • univariate
• data analysis • one-tailed hypothesis
• frequency distribution
• interval variables

Remember to take a look at the glossary of terms that has been uploaded on myUnisa
under Additional Resources. If you see a term and you do not know what it means,
stop and go to the glossary. This will familiarise you with the terminology of research
and you will get comfortable with the content of this module much quicker.

https://mymodules.dtls.unisa.ac.za/pluginfile.php/15594258/mod_folder/content/0/
SMA4801_Glossary%20of%20terms%20Eng.docx?forcedownload=1

After working through the learning unit, you should be able to explain all of the
above-mentioned concepts. These concepts are all explained or defined in the
prescribed textbook and this unit.

SMA4801/167


9.5 FUNDAMENTALS OF MEASUREMENT AND ANALYSIS


Study the section titled fundamentals of measurement and analysis in the
prescribed textbook. This chapter kicks off with a distinction between different
levels of measurement as summarised in table 9.1.

TABLE 9.1
Levels of measurement

Source: Fouché et al., (2020:251)

ACTIVITY 9.1: NULL HYPOTHESIS

In your own words, explain what the null hypothesis is.


The null hypothesis is a testable proposition that posits that there is no relationship
between variables and that any relationship evident in the data is as a result of error,
meaning it does not really exist in the population. The null hypothesis is useful because
it requires researchers to set an acceptable threshold of statistical significance before
concluding that the relationship evident in the data probably does exist in the population.

Ensure that you spend time to understand what hypotheses and hypothesis testing
involve. Additionally, look out for statistical significance in this section.

9.6 METHODS AND PROCESSES OF ANALYSIS


Study the section titled methods and processes of analysis in the prescribed
textbook. This section distinguishes between four main categories of quantitative
analysis, namely descriptive, association, causation, and inference as summarised
in table 9.2.

68
LEARNING UNIT 9: Quantitative data analysis

TABLE 9.2:
Categories of data analysis techniques

Source: Fouché et al. (2020:257)

Once data has been collected, it must be prepared for data entry. This includes
conducting data coding. Once data has been coded, it must be entered. Pay close
attention to univariate analysis (frequency analysis, distribution, central tendency,
dispersion), standard deviation and the normal curve. Additionally, this section
investigates the relationship between variables (bivariate analysis) through cross-
tabulation, linearity, and causality. When investigating the relationship between more
than two variables, key concepts include partial correlation, multiple regression and
regression. Difference tests investigate the differences between two groups, including
dependent t-tests and non-parametric tests. When determining the differences
between more than two groups, researchers conduct analysis of variance (ANOVA)
tests.

ACTIVITY 9.2: ANOVA TEST

You need to log on to myUnisa to access and complete this activity. Remember that
the SMA4801 myUnisa site is a vital part of your module content.
When would you use the one-way ANOVA test, and what might it tell you?
One would use the one-way ANOVA test to determine whether there are any statistically
significant differences between means of a dependent variable across two or more
independent groups. If the F-ratio is statistically significant, it suggests that different
groups in the sample interact differently with a specified independent variable. While
the t-test works with just two independent groups, ANOVA can be used to analyse more
than two groups.

SMA4801/169


9.7 SELECTING THE RIGHT STATISTICAL TEST


Study the section titled selecting the right statistical test in the prescribed textbook.
Now that researchers have been introduced to different types of data analysis, it
is important to select the correct type of analysis for the specific research project.

9.8 SUMMARY OF LEARNING UNIT


This learning unit provided an overview of quantitative data analysis and interpretation.
This included a distinction between the mode, median and mean; nominal, ordinal,
interval and ratio; and univariate, bivariate and multivariate methods of analysis.

The next learning unit will look at qualitative research (thematic and narrative enquiry)
(Learning unit 10) and qualitative research (contemporary data) as part of lesson 9.

9.9 REFERENCES
Fouché, C.B., Strydom, H. & Roestenburg, W.J.H. (Eds.). 2021. Research at grass
roots – for the social sciences and human services professions. 5th edition. Cape Town:
Van Schaik.

Assessment 3 MCQ

70

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