Sathyendran S A

With some exception the source of quantitative data is similar to qualitative data. However we can collect quantitative data from a variety of sources in different ways. In the following table we describe major sources for gathering quantitative data. Source Description Questionnaire Here generally respondents are asked to fill up Example a form with a series of questions usually Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs). Interviews It is the primary tool for qualitative data As an example instead of collection. However to ensure collecting asking “How is your salary” quantitative data we use more structured interviewer can ask “What is approach and usually the questions and your salary” answers are in more objective form. Observation It is evaluating the outcome of a single or Recording and analysis of a group of participants‟ action or task in patient blood pressure, body different occasion. Observation can be made temperature in a specific time either in controlled (lab condition) or real- interval, world situation (e.g. workplace condition). asking different group of people to complete a particular task or problem solving (solving a case) Transaction Recordings or logs of system or website Financial statement analysis, logs activity Call list or entry form checklist etc. Documentary Analysis of documents of files maintained Content analysis (analyzing research by an organization annual report for disclosure/ reporting), analyzing audit working paper etc. 3. Steps in quantitative data analysis Once data have been collected we need to comprehend the data and also need to report analysis to assist the process of making choices or reaching conclusions. The following 3 steps are critical for this process. 1. Exploration of data To make sense of the responses we have gathered from different sources, we have to organize and summarize them for exploratory analysis. In this stage we review the data and bring together the related responses. 2. Communication of data To communicate the meaning of collected data to users we at this stage present data using different tables, graphical displays and summary statistics. As an example we often use piechart, bar chart, histogram and supplementary tables to illustrate descriptive statistics. 3. Analyzing to reach conclusion To see whether the responses are similar or different and to see the significance of relationship between the variables we at this stage analyze the data using various tools and techniques of quantitative data analysis. As an example if we collected data from different group of students about their library usage per week. We may seek to know whether majority of students go to library once a week and if not then which group of students go more than others and whether there are any significant relationship of visiting library and their year of study.