ACTION RESEARCH 1

Interpreting Data
Topic 13
Integrating various sources of data
Connecting the data with literature review
Summarising the results and drawing conclusions

Why do you need to interpret

data?
Reduce the data to an intelligible and
interpretable form so that relations of
research problems can be studied and
tested and conclusions drawn-research
questions
Study the data for their meaning and
implications

Integrating various sources of data

Quantitative
Qualitative

Integrating various sources of data

Quantitative
Qualitative
*** mixed methods

How do you interpret the results?

Mixed-methods research design
explanatory mixed-methods design-whereby
quantitative data are collected first , followed by
collection of qualitative data.
The analysis of the data follow the same sequence.
The focus is the interpretation of qualitative results
(secondary data analysis)should focus on the
elaboration or extension of the quantitative analysis
(primary analysis).

How do you interpret the results?

Mixed-methods research design
exploratory mixed-methods design-whereby
qualitative data are collected and analysed to provide
an initial exploration of the topic of interest.
Once the data are analysed , the results may be used
to develop some sort of instrument , designed to
collect numerical data.
The purpose of the primary data (qualitative) is to
lend credibility to the secondary data (quantitative).

How do you interpret the results?

Mixed-methods research design
triangulation mixed-methods design-whereby both the data are
weighed equally. Both the data are collected at about at the same
time.
The results are interpreted simultaneously in a convergent manneralmost being informally compared in order to indicate and verify
similar sets of results.
This method provides a more comprehensive and convincing view
of the topic being investigated. It reduces biasness and increases
confidence in reporting your research.

(Mertler, 2014:187)

How do you interpret the results?

Show how the results provide answers to the
research questions and interpret the findings.
Explain your findings by relating to the
findings of other studies, models or theories.
Explain why the results turn out the way they
did
Summarise and conclude credibly and
persuasively

SAMPLE 1

THE USE OF SONGS TO INCREASE YEAR 4 BESTARI

STUDENTSMOTIVATION IN THE LANGUAGE ARTS
LESSON OF A PRIMARY ESL CLASSROOM

BY THEEVHIYAA A/P CHANDRASEKARAM

SAMPLE 2

IMPROVING YEAR 5 PRIHATIN

STUDENTS WRITING THROUGH
SHARED WRITING
BY SULAIMAN ALI

Summarising the results

Should be aligned with the research
questions and research
objectives
Main focus is to reiterate your findings
Support your results well with relevant
evidences and literature

Drawing conclusions
Avoid general statements or conclusions
Draw your conclusions from your results /action
research
Conclude if your findings agree with or contradict
with the published research
Relate your results to relevant concepts and
literature review as discussed in the Introduction
Did your findings/results produce new
understanding?-relate and discuss

Gentle reminder
Use the active voice
Be concise, make your points clear
Avoid wordy phrases
Refer to past research work done in
past tense
Refer to generally accepted facts and
principles in present tense