Principles and Techniques of Veterinary and AH Extension

TABULATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

Tabulation

• It is an orderly and systematic preservation of numerical data in a form designed to elucidate the problem under consideration. The first form of table is preparation of master table. Then a simple frequency table is prepared for each question by counting frequent tallies for each item.
• Basic idea of tabulation is to put the whole data in concise, precise and logical order. It is arbitrary arrangement of data in a complete form (in columns and rows) for further analysis. Once the master table is prepared the researcher need not look into the questionnaire of schedule.

Analysis of data

• Analysis means simplifying the data and arranging it in some purposeful way so that meaningful interpretation is possible. Analysis can be done in the following ways
  • Percentage analysis: Work out the percentages or different items of a simple table.
  • Statistical analysis: It is most useful, meaningful, scientific and acceptable method of analysis. The data is subjected to various statistical techniques depending upon the objectives of the study and type of data collected.
  • Cross tabulation: An important part of analysis is to find out the relationship between the different variables. The similarities, differences, correlation, cause and effect, positive and negative association between different variables should be looked into from the data of small tables.

Interpretation

• Explaining what the findings of the study or research indicate is known as interpretation. Interpretation of results explains the part played by the factors/variables, which were not included in the study. Comparison with past studies or reports gives further meaningful information.

Conclusion and Generalization

• The purpose of research is to draw certain conclusions on the basis of the study and pinpoint generalizations on the basis of past studies or reports.