IN DEPTH ACTIVITY

The goal of this in-depth activity is to practice data analysis and presentation. Assume that you are assigned to analyze and present the findings of your data gathering in-depth activity from Chapter 8 to a group of peers, for instance, via a seminar.

1. Review the data that you gathered and identify any qualitative data and any quantitative data in the data set.

2. Is there any qualitative data that could sensibly and helpfully be translated into quantitative measures? If so, do the translation and add this data to your quantitative set.

3. Consider your quantitative data.

(a) Decide how best to enter it into spreadsheet software, for example, how to handle answers to close-ended questions. Then enter the data and generate some graphical representations. As the data set is likely to be small, think carefully about what, if any, graphical representations will provide meaningful summaries of the findings.

(b) Is there any data for which simple measures, such as percentages or averages, will be helpful? If so, calculate the three different types of average.

4. Consider your qualitative data.

(a) Based on your refinement of the study question improving the product, identify some themes in the qualitative data, for example, what features of the product cause people difficulties? Did any of the participants suggest alternative designs or solutions? Refine your themes and collate extracts of data that support the theme.

(b) Identify any critical incidents in the data. These may arise from interviews, questionnaire responses, or observation. Describe these incidents carefully and choose one or two to analyze in more depth, focusing on the context in which they occurred.

5. Collate your findings as a presentation and deliver them to a group of peers.

6. Review the presentation and any questions from the audience. Consider how to improve the analysis and presentation.