Research
Data Analysis is used in many industries to allow companies and
organization to make better business decisions. Data Analysis is
one of the many steps that must be completed when conducting a
research but it assumes special significance. Data when collected
from various primary and secondary sources is in its raw form are
incredibly useful but also overwhelming. It is almost impossible
for researcher to deal with all this data in its raw form. Through
data analysis such data is presented in a suitable and summarized
form without any loss of relevant information so that it can be
efficiently used for decision making. Data can be presented in
the tabular or graphic form. The tabular form (tables) implies
numerical presentation of data. The graphical form (figure)
involves the presentation of data in terms of structure which can
be visually interpreted, e.g., Bar charts, Pie charts, Histograms,
Line charts etc.
Charts, graphs and textual write ups of data are all form of data
analysis. These methods are designed to refine and distill the data so
that readers can have clean interesting information without needing
to sort through all of the data on their own. It has to be noted that
research data analysis provides the crucial link between research
data and information that is needed to address research questions.
Data Analysis has multiple facets and approaches, encompassing
diverse statistical techniques, under a variety of names in different
businesses, science and social science domains.
Analysis of data means studying the tabulated material in order
to determine inherent facts or meaning. A plan of analysis can
and should be prepared in advance before the actual collection
of material.
Processing and analysis of data is always found to be interwoven.
Many experts are of the view that analysis of data is different
from processing of data