Scribd
Upload
224 views

Quantitative Data Analysis Presentation

The document discusses quantitative data analysis methods used in assessment. It defines descriptive statistics like mean, median, range, and variance which are used to describe characteristics of data. Inferential statistics are then introduced which can be used to analyze relationships between variables and test hypotheses. Examples of common statistical tests are provided. The document concludes with an example dataset and correlations found between variables like GPA, hours mentored, and gender.

Uploaded by

Faisal Qureshi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
224 views

Quantitative Data Analysis Presentation

The document discusses quantitative data analysis methods used in assessment. It defines descriptive statistics like mean, median, range, and variance which are used to describe characteristics of data. Inferential statistics are then introduced which can be used to analyze relationships between variables and test hypotheses. Examples of common statistical tests are provided. The document concludes with an example dataset and correlations found between variables like GPA, hours mentored, and gender.

Uploaded by

Faisal Qureshi
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 23

Assessment Committee 2009 Division of Campus Life, Emory University

What is quantitative data analysis? Types of quantitative data used in assessment Descriptive statistics
Utilizing Microsoft Excel

Introduction to inferential statistics Presenting quantitative data

Making sense of numbers. Using numbers to inform decision-making.

Categorical
Nominal: names Ordinal: 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

Continuous
Ratio: consistent distance between each point Interval: there is a zero starting point

There is an important difference in how you work with categorical and continuous variables!

Not everything can be quantified!

Just like it sounds these describe aspects things about a group of numbers.

Sum Mean Median Range Variance Standard deviation

What is it?
The total

How to get it:


Add up all of the numbers.

There are a total of 13 participants. Sum is used to calculate other statistics.

What is it?

The average of all of the numbers

How to get it:

Add up all of the numbers and divide by total sample size. In math-speak: (x1+x2++xn)/n. Often notated as (xn)/n Mean age: 19.3 Mean GPA: 2.84 Mean hours mentored: 4.53

For our example:

What is it?

The middle number, when all of the numbers are arranged in increasing order

How to get it:

Put numbers in order from least to greatest, and find the middle number. If you have an even-sized sample the median is the mean of the two middle numbers.

For our example:

Median age: 19 Median GPA: 2.85 Median hours mentored: 5

What is it?

The spread between the smallest and largest number in the sample.

How to get it:

Find the smallest and largest numbers. Subtract the smallest from the largest.

For our example:

Age: 23-17 = 6 GPA: 4.0 1.50 = 2.5 Hours mentored: 8-1 = 7

What is it?

A measure of the variation in the sample, or how spread out it is. How far does each number vary from the mean?

How to get it:

In math-speak: (x M)2/(n-1). Hit the easy button and use Excel to calculate this for you.

In our example:

Age: 2.39744 GPA: .05437 Hours mentored: 5.6026

What is it?

A commonly used measure of how spread out individual numbers are from the median

How to get it:

Take the square root of the variance. Or use the easy button and have Excel calculate it for you.

In our example:

Age: 1.54837 GPA: 0.7374 Hours mentored: 2.367

Used to show relationships between variables. Can be used to explain or predict these relationships. Dont be intimidated! Inferential statistics are a tool that you can learn to utilize with patience and practice.

Variety of statistical tests: Chi-squared, Ttests, analysis of variance, regression, et cetera. Conveniently many of these tests can be done using software that can be downloaded for FREE if you are an Emory staff member.

Statistical tests look for significance, a concept that measures the degree to which your results can be obtained due to chance. In social science/educational research the term = .05 is often used. This means there is a 5% or less chance that the results are due to chance.

Beware the correlation-causation fallacy.

Consider the use of inferential statistics when you are designing your assessment project. Consult with someone who has statistical experience as you develop your own statistical confidence. Inferential statistical are not always necessary or desirable!

Consider practical vs. statistical significance. Dont be beholden to statistics. Inferential statistics are a tool, not the answer!

Age Dick Edward Emmett Lauren 20 19 20 20

GPA 1.9 1.5 2.1 2.4

Gender M M M F

Hours 1 1 2 3

Mike
Benjie Joe Larry

19
18 19 17

2.75
3 2.85 2.75

M
M M M

4
4 5 5

Rose
Bob Kate Sally

18
18 19 21

3.3
3.1 3.4 4

F
M F F

5
6 7 8

Sylvia
Sum Avg Variance Std Dev Median

23
251 19.308 2.3974 1.5484 19

3.9
36.95 2.8423 0.5437 0.7374 2.85

8
59 4.5385 5.6026 2.367 5

Relationship between GPA and hours

mentored
4.5 4 3.5 3 2.5 Achieved GPA 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Hours mentored Series1

Thirteen students participated in the minority mentoring program. A strong positive correlation was found between the number of hours mentored and achieved GPA (.965), between hours mentored and gender (.578), and between gender and achieved GPA (.622).

You might also like