Some Glaring Mistakes made by Researchers in Education in Statistical Analysis

Some Glaring Mistakes Seen in Statistical Analysis by

Researchers in Education

Madhavi DharankarAsst Prof, School of Education,

YCMOUdharankar.madhavi@yahoo.com

Data Analysis

Quantitative

Triangulation

Qualitative

Intra Inter

Data Analysis: Some Observations

• Raw data and frequency tables are given in chapters

• Percentages, graphs, means taken as stats techniques

• Meaningless innumerable graphs

Conceptual Confusions Leading to Mistakes in Analysis

Doctoral Level Analysis based solely on Percentages

Findings based on Superficial Differences between the Groups

Comparison of Two Different Groups

Calculations NOT based on Gained Scores

Pre Post Gained Scores

Expt

Control

Observations

• Lack of Identifying Points of – qualitative analysis– Triangulation– Taking analysis to higher level - mixing data

• Lack of Reasoning on– Nature of data– Choice of appropriate stats technique– Strengths and limitations of a technique

Taking Analysis Further

• ‘Discussion of Results’ missing

• Difference between findings and conclusions not clear

• Predictions based on analysis

Arguments with the Researchers (and the Guides)

• “I have not done the calculations. Statistician has done it for me.”

• “He has used SPSS, computers as a statistical techniques.” – A guide

Does use of software and/ or help of a statistician mean saying goodbye to the basic understanding of analysis in research?

Crossing limits of findings

Questions Researchers Could Ask Themselves

• Why am I drawing a graph? How is it taking the understanding about the number ‘further’?

• What am I achieving through it, which otherwise cannot be achieved?

• What am I drawing attention to through this graph?

• What is the nature of data?• What does it demand?• Reading between the numbers

Measures at Institutional Level

• University– Rigor underlined– Evaluation of thesis by subject expert as well as

statistician (analysis expert)– Presentations completely focused on analysis– Formal inputs of stats to both students and

guides• Collaborations

– Periodical workshops for M Phil and Ph D research scholars with statisticians

– Analysis clinics (Dr Anil Gore)

Discussions!!!

Thank you