PREST in Open and Distance Learning: Getting and Analysing Quantitative Data (A3 Module)

Abstract

Module overview - You have seen in the earlier modules that there are two broad approaches to collecting research data: qualitative methods and quantitative methods.This module looks at the latter type.Through studying the module you will gain an overview of some of the key issues in collecting and analysing quantitative data. You will also learn some of the common methods of statistical analysis of numerical data, although this is not a module on statistical methods in general – that is far too large a topic to treat here. Instead, I have concentrated on showing you how to use some of the basic analytical tools that you can find in Microsoft Excel. During the module you will explore and learn about: - deciding what data you need in order to answer given research questions - interpreting quantitative data - types of quantitative data - methods of summarising quantitative data - methods of describing patterns and trends in data - methods of collecting quantitative data, including questionnaire design - some methods of analysing quantitative data.