Interpreting Qualitative and Quantitative Data
Data are interpreted by analyzing and synthesizing the relationship between and among data variables. In the case of a fair test, the experimenter may try to analyze how the independent variable or variations in the independent variable can cause changes as observed in the experimental units.
Qualitative Data
If data are qualitative, the experimenter may simply compare for similarities or differences in color, odor, sound, taste, texture, and similar qualities. He/she may also rank the data, for example, by the different color reactions of different sugar solution concentrations to Benedict’s reagent (or Benedict’s test) according to increasing depth of color such as light yellow, yellow, orange, red orange, and brownish red.
Qualitative data can also be quantified, for example, by stating how many are extra large, large, medium, small, and extra small. The quantified data can then be ranked.
Quantitative Data
For quantitative data, it is suggested that the experimenter does the following:
- Write a topic sentence stating the independent and dependent variables. Refer to data in tables and graphs.
- Write one or two sentences on the use of measures of central tendency in interpreting data and compare their arithmetic means or averages.
- Write one or two sentences describing variations in the data.
