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Converting Data to Information
Converting Data to Information
• Know your data
• Know your audience
• Tell a story
Know Your Data
• Construct simple frequency distribution for every variable
• Examine data distribution• Identify “meaningful” indicator to
summarize• N = number• % = percentage• Mean
Know Your Data
• Examine “indicator” for patterns across subgroups within your sample• Sex• Race/Ethnicity• Class level• College of Enrollment• Program participation/Non-participation
First Year Retention by Housing StatusEntering Class of 1995
0102030405060708090
100
< 800 800 -890
900 -990
1000 -1090
1100 -1190
1200 -1290
1300 -1390
1400 -1490
1500 + Total
SAT Category
No Housing
Housing
Converting Data to Information - Examples
First Year Attrition and the 4,5, and 6 Year Graduation Rates by Entering Class 1985-1995
1st yr. attrition
4 yr. graduation
5 yr. graduation
6 yr. graduation
05
101520253035404550556065707580859095
100
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Year
Disciplined Community: Most People Respect the Rights of Others
Interntl. -63%Hispanic-63%
Asian-Am.-61%
African-Am.-43%
White-53%
Senior-56%J unior-52%
Sophomore-63%Freshmen-61%
Women-55%Men-60%
57%
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100
All
Converting Data to Information - Examples
Mean SAT Total Test Score by Ethnic Group Fall & Summer First Time in College Freshmen 1986 to 1995
White/Asian Am.
African Am.Hispanic
800850900950
1000105011001150120012501300
1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Converting Data to Information - Examples
SAT Total Score Ranges (Middle 50%) by Ethnicity for the Entering Class of 1996
900950
100010501100115012001250130013501400
White Black Asian Hispanic
SAT 25 percentile
SAT 50 percentile
SAT 75 percentile
Converting Data to Information - Examples
Mean First Year Cumulative GPA by SAT Total Test Score Category by Ethnicity for the Entering Classes of 1992-1994
All University -- White Versus Hispanic
0.000.501.001.502.002.503.003.504.00
Lessthan800
0800 to0890
0900 to0990
1000 to1090
1100 to1190
1200 to1290
1300 to1390
1400 to1600
TotalGroup
White
Hispanic
The Extent to Which 35 Abilities and Skills Were Enhanced by the Undergraduate Program (N=1775 Alumni)
Exercise personal responsibility
Maintain openness to new ideas
Think analytically & logically
Function independently
Learn how to learn
Exercise self-discipline
Acquire new skills & knowledge
Adapt to social situations
Listen effectively
Understand myself
Exercise problem solving skills
Write effectively
Possess clear goals
Speak effectively
Carry out research
Relate to people of different races
Know literature of recognized merit
0 20 40 60 80 100
70
68
66
66
64
63
59
53
50
50
49
47
43
43
43
41
41
Percent responding 4 or 5(high) on a 5 point scale
020406080100
8
8
8
9
17
11
10
17
15
17
16
17
18
23
26
27
29
Percent responding 1 or 2(low) on a 5 point scale
Average Response (Scale of 1 to 5)
3.9
3.9
3.8
3.8
3.8
3.8
3.7
3.5
3.5
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.3
3.3
3.2
3.2
3.2
The Extent to Which 35 Abilities and Skills Were Enhanced by the Undergraduate Program (N=1775 Alumni)
Evaluate and choose among alternatives
Understand cultural differences
Be effective team member
Produce scholarship
Analyze literature critically
Understand scientific findings
Cope with conflict
Appreciate artistic expression
Use statistics
Understand math concepts
Take moral & ethical action
Employ scientific methods
Lead and supervise others
Solve math problems
Analyze scientific data
Use foreign language skills
Utilize computing skills
020406080100
11
34
27
33
35
36
28
36
37
35
41
37
42
38
44
45
58
61
0 20 40 60 80 100
39
39
38
37
37
37
36
34
34
32
32
31
31
30
30
29
27
19
Place problems in historical perspective
3.23.1
3.1
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.1
2.9
2.9
3.0
2.8
2.9
2.8
2.9
2.7
2.7
2.4
2.2
Average Response (Scale of 1 to 5)
Percent responding 4 or 5(high) on a 5 point scale
Percent responding 1 or 2(low) on a 5 point scale
Know Your Data
• Small Group Exercise
