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Research Data Management

Data Analysis

Britannica defines data analysis as:

the process of systematically collecting, cleaning, transforming, describing, modeling, and interpreting data, generally employing statistical techniques. Data analysis is an important part of both scientific research and business, where demand has grown in recent years for data-driven decision making. Data analysis techniques are used to gain useful insights from datasets, which can then be used to make operational decisions or guide future research.

 

Typically most data analysis would be performed with

  • IBM SPSS for quantitative analyses
  • QSR NVivo for qualitative or mixed methods analyses

Both of these programs are available for download on machines provided to Federation University researchers from the Software Centre. Refer to the following linked instructions on accessing and installing programs to Federation University machines.

Although limited in number, open source analysis software is available

  • Jamovi - open source statistical software similar to SPSS and SAS
  • QualCoder - open source qualitative data analysis application similar to NVivo
  • OpenRefine - open source data wrangling and overviews for data in tabular formats
  • Jupyter Notebooks - open source web application which provides an interactive interface that can be used for data analysis and data visualisation

Analysis guides and tutorials

For assistance getting started on any kind of data analysis, search the SAGE Research Methods database for a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis eBooks.

For assistance in using NVivo or SPSS contact the Graduate Research Centre for information on upcoming tutorials or assistance.

Online communities and tutorials

 

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