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M.Ed. II Semester

Course- Teaching and Research Aptitude (MEEDU2011E04)

Unit IV Data Interpretation and ICT

(Course instructor- Ravi Kant)

(Note- Following is tentative outline and main points to be cover. For thorough study and better

understanding student are advised to go through several web resources given in the bibliography

in the last. Detail discussion on every point shall be made on Online class.)

Content

• Sources, acquisition and interpretation of data, Quantitative and Qualitative data,

Graphical representation and mapping of data

• ICT: meaning, advantages, disadvantages and uses, General abbreviations and

terminology, Basis of the internet and email,

Primary Data-

“Primary data is the kind of data that is collected directly from the data source without going

through any existing sources. It is mostly collected specially for a research project and may be

shared publicly to be used for other research”

“A primary source is anything that gives you direct evidence about the people, events, or

phenomena that you are researching. Primary sources will usually be the main objects of your

analysis”

“Primary data are fresh (new) information collected for the first time by a researcher himself for

a particular purpose.”

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Wessel's definition

“Data originally collected in the process of investigation are known as primary data.”

Examples of primary data sources are:

• Interview (personal interview, telephone, e-mail)

• Self-administered surveys and questionnaires

• Field observation

• Experiments

• Life histories

• Action research

• Case studies

• Diary entries, letters, and other correspondence

• Eyewitness accounts

• Ethnographic research

• Personal narratives, memoirs

Advantages of Primary Data-

1. Resolve specific research issues

2. Better accuracy.

3. Higher level of control

4. Up-to-date information

5. You are the owner of the information

Disadvantages of Primary Data

1. More expensive

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2. Time consuming

3. Can have a lot of limits.

4. Not always possible

Secondary Data

“Secondary data is the data that has been collected in the past by someone else but made

available for others to use. They are usually once primary data but become secondary when used

by a third party”

“A secondary source is anything that describes, interprets, evaluates, or analyzes information

from primary sources.”

“Secondary data, on the other hand, are information already collected by others or somebody

else and later used by a researcher (or investigator) to answer their questions in hand.”

Wessel’s definitions-

“Data collected by other persons are called secondary data.”

In words of M. M. Blair,

“Secondary data are those which are already in existence and collected for some other purpose

than the answering of the question in hand.”

Examples of secondary data sources are:

• Previous research

• Mass media products

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• Government reports

• Official statistics

• Letters

• Diaries

• Web information

• Historical data

• Encyclopedias

• Monographs

• Journal articles

• Biography

• Research analysis

• Dissertations

• Works of criticism and interpretation

• Financial sources such as profit and loss statements balance sheets, inventory records,

sales records and etc.

Advantages of Secondary Data:

• Easy of Access

• Low Cost or Free

• Time-saving

• Generating new insights and understandings from previous analysis

• Larger sample size

• Longitudinal analysis

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• Anyone can collect the data

Disadvantages/Limitations of Secondary Data-

• Not specific to your needs

• Lack of control over data quality.

• Biasness

• Not timely

• Not proprietary Information

Tertiary Data

Tertiary sources consist of information which is a distillation and collection of primary and

secondary sources - they provide overviews of topics by compiling and synthesizing information

gathered from other resources.

Tertiary data sources are-

• Almanacs or Fact Books

• Chronologies or Timelines

• Dictionaries and Encyclopedias

• Directories

• Databases, Indexes, Abstracts, Bibliographies used to locate primary and secondary sources

• Textbooks

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Comparison between Primary and Secondary data at a glance-

Characteristics/Points Primary Data Secondary Data

Meaning Data collected by Researcher

himself

Data collected by other persons

Originality Original and unique information Not original or unique

information

Sources Surveys, Observations,

Experiments

Internal records, Government

Published Data, Article, Books

Types of Data Qualitative Quantitative

Methods Observations, Experiment,

Interview

Desk Research Method,

searching online etc.

Reliability More reliable Less reliable

Time consumption Needs much time Less time consuming

Cost effectiveness Costly Economical

Bias Possibility of bias exist Somewhat safe from bias

Proprietary

Information

Researcher is owner, can hide

information regarding source from

others

Researcher is not owner because

source is accessible for others

also.

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Acquisition and Interpretation (Analysis) of Data-

Acquisition of Data

It refers to how to collect data i.e. the means mode of data. Normally data can be collected in

personal or by using any communicative electronic mode in the present. For both qualitative and

quantitative following methods and means can be used for the acquisition of data-

• Interview (personal interview, telephone, e-mail)

• Self-administered surveys and questionnaires

• Field observation

• Experiments

• Life histories

• Action research

• Previous research

• Mass media products

• Government reports

• Official statistics

• Letters

• Diaries

• Web information

• Historical data

• Encyclopedias

• Monographs

• Journal articles/paper

• Biography/Autobiography

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• Research analysis

• Dissertations

• Works of criticism and interpretation

• Financial sources such as profit and loss statements balance sheets, inventory records,

sales records and etc.

• Case studies

• Eyewitness accounts

• Ethnographic research

• Personal narratives, memoirs

Interpretation or Analysis of data-

According to C.R.Kothari (1989), “The term analysis refers to the computation of measures

along with searching for patterns of relationship that exist among data-groups”.

Marshall and Rossman(1999) describe data analysis as the process of bringing order, structure

and meaning to the mass of collected data.

Best and Khan (2006) clearly posit that the analysis and interpretation of data represent the

application of deductive and inductive logic to the research.

Kreuger and Neuman, Robson (2011) also posit that the process and products of analysis

provide the bases for interpretation and analysis.

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“Data interpretation refers to the implementation of processes through which data is reviewed

for the purpose of arriving at an informed conclusion. The interpretation of data assigns a

meaning to the information analyzed and determines its signification and implications.”

Qualitative interpretation and analysis: observe, document and interview notice, collect and

think about things.

Quantitative Interpretation and analysis: mean, standard deviation or frequency distribution

for instance, correlation values, Regression analysis, Correlation of variance, other higher

statistical techniques.

Qualitative and Quantitative Data in Research-

Qualitative Data:

They represent some characteristics or attributes. They depict descriptions that may be observed

but cannot be computed or calculated. For example, data on attributes such

as intelligence, honesty, wisdom, cleanliness, and creativity collected using the students of your

class a sample would be classified as qualitative. They are more exploratory than conclusive in

nature.

“Qualitative Data refers to the data that provides insights and understanding about a particular

problem. It can be approximated but cannot be computed”.

Quantitative Data:

These can be measured and not simply observed. They can be numerically represented and

calculations can be performed on them. For example, data on the number of students playing

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different sports from your class gives an estimate of how many of the total students play which

sport. This information is numerical and can be classified as quantitative.

“Quantitative Data, as the name suggests is one which deals with quantity or numbers. It refers

to the data which computes the values and counts and can be expressed in numerical terms is

called quantitative data.”

Comparison between qualitative and quantitative data-

Characteristics/Points Qualitative Data Quantitative data

Meaning Based on attributes and properties Which can be quantifying

Research

Methodology

Exploratory Conclusive

Approach Exploratory Conclusive

Analysis Non-statistical Statistical

Collection of data Unstructured Structured

Determines Depth of Understanding

(Why?, How good?)

Level of occurrence

(How many?, How much?)

Sample size Small, non-representative Large, representative

Outcome Develops initial understanding Recommends for implementation of

result.

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Graphical representation and Mapping of data-

“The transformation of data through visual methods like graphs, diagrams, maps and charts is

called representation of data.”

“Graphical representation is the visual display of data using plots and charts.”

Different techniques of data representations-

1. Diagram

2. Chart

3. Graph

Types of Graph representation-

1. Histogram

2. Bar Diagram

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3. Frequency Polygon

4. Cumulative Frequency Curve or Ogive

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5. Line graph or Stick graph

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6. Pie chart

7. Pictogram

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8. Line Chart

9. Scatter Diagram

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ICT in Education

Three aims of Educational Technology-

1. Preservation of knowledge

2. Dissemination of knowledge

3. Enrichment of knowledge

Information and Communication Technology

Information = Meaningful data

Communication= Mutual sharing of thoughts, experiences, ideology

Technology= Technique (Way of working, Science of working)

ICT is technology that supports activities involving information. Such activities include

gathering, processing, storing and presenting data. Increasingly these activities also involve

collaboration and communication. Hence IT has become ICT: information and communication

technology.

"ICT stand for information and communication technologies and is defined, as a "diverse set of

technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and

manage information."

"ICT implies the technology which consists of electronic devices and associated human

interactive materials that enable the user to employ them for a wide range of teaching - learning

processes in addition to personal use."

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“Information and communication technology, or ICT, is defined as the combination of

informatics technology with other, related technologies, specifically communication

technology.”

“ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmits or receive information

electronically in a digital form.”

“The term ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone networks

with computer networks through a various linking systems.”

"Information and communications technology (ICT) in education is the processing of

information and its communications facilities and features that variously support teaching,

learning and a range of activities in education."

“ICT is a more extensive term (i.e. more broad in scope) that stresses the role of unified

communications and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless

signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-

visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.”

Scope of ICT-

• Enriching quality of teaching

• Enhancing quality of learning

• Increasing efficiency

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• Expanding educational opportunities

• Availability of resources

• Professional development for teachers

• Information Technology in Educational Management

• Lifelong Learning

• Distance Learning

• IT-Professional and Vocational Education in Information Technology

• Advancing community linkages

• Improving policy planning and management

• Facilitating skill formation

• Lively teaching learning process

• Helping the student learn

• Developing skills for the workplace

• Enabling collaboration

• Accessing remote resources

• Supporting new pedagogical methods

Advantages of using ICT in Education-

1. ICT helps learner to stay motivated during the learning process

2. It encourages more communication among teachers, student and parents.

3. Technology options in the classroom are very affordable.

4. It creates new ways to learn for learner.

5. Technology allows us to give students access to data from a single location.

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6. It gives us better access to behavioral data on students.

7. Technology helps to prepare students for their future world.

8. The introduction of technology allows for the teaching of needed vocational skills.

9. Technology in the classroom encourages collaboration.

10. It encourages students to stay engaged with their learning environment

11. Teachers have more credibility when they use technology in the classroom.

Disadvantages or limitation of ICT in Education-

1. The presence of technology can be distracting to students.

2. Technology can make it easier to cheat.

3. Using tech can cause some students to disconnect from the classroom.

4. Some students may not know the difference between reliable and unreliable resources.

5. Technology is a resource that not all families can afford.

6. Some technologies could replace the teacher in some classrooms

7. There are privacy concerns to consider with technology in the classroom.

8. Technology in the classroom could create medical problems for some kids.

9. Student often lose track of time when using technology in the classroom.

10. Technology can create dependencies for information recall.

Some important factors relating to ICT-

Positive Factors

1. Fast communication factor

2. Motivating factor

3. Cooperative factor

4. Research factor

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5. New Skill factor

Negative factors

1. Privacy factor

2. Entertainment factor

3. Procrastination factor

Approaches of integration ICT in teaching learning (Education)-

1. ICT skills development approach

2. ICT pedagogy approach

3. Subject specific approach

4. Practical driven approach

Internet-

“Internet is an electronic communications network that connects computer networks and

organizational computer facilities around the world.”

“The Internet is a global wide area network that connects computer systems across the world. It

includes several high-bandwidth data lines that comprise the Internet "backbone."

“The internet is a globally connected network system that uses IP to transmit data via various

types of media. The internet is a network of global exchanges – including private, public,

business, academic and government networks – connected by guided, wireless and fiber-optic

technologies.”

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“Internet a system of connecting a computer to any other computer anywhere in the world

via dedicated routers and servers.”

Advantages of Internet

1. Access of information

2. Online Education

3. Virtual field trips

4. Social connectivity and social skill

5. Provides ample opportunities according to need for both teacher and student

6. Job Search

7. Promotes independent learning in students

8. Prepare students for future

9. Cost effective

10. Gives to explore new ways of learning for both teacher and students

11. Helpful in exploring in new pedagogies of teaching-learning process

Disadvantages/ Limitation of Internet-

1. Lack of interest after some time

2. students may easy victim of cyber crime

3. Physical problem

4. Psychological Problem (Internet addiction, Cyber loafing, Cyber bullying)

5. Challenge for face to face learning

6. Not accessible to all

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E-mail

“E-mail: (electronic mail) is the exchange of computer-stored messages by telecommunication.

It allows for the transfer of information from one computer to another, provided that they are

hooked up via Internet.”

“E-mail is a system for sending messages from one individual to another via telecommunications

links between computers or terminals using dedicated software.”

“E-mail is a short form for electronic mail, email (or e-mail) is defined as the transmission of

messages over communications networks.”

“Email (electronic mail) is the exchange of computer-stored messages by telecommunication”

“Email is a system of sending written messages electronically from one computer to

another. Email is an abbreviation of 'electronic mail.”

Uses of E-mail-

1. Information exchange

2. Record keeping

3. Group work

4. Staying in touch professionally

Advantages of email-

1. Free

2. Easy of use

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3. Easy to prioritize

4. Speed

5. Global

6. Eco-friendly

7. Easy to store

8. Comprehensive

9. 24*7

Disadvantages/ Limitations of email-

1. Lack of emotional touch

2. Information overloaded (mail bombardment)

3. Lacking of human touch

4. Misunderstanding

5. Spam

6. Time consuming

7. Virus

8. 24*7

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References / Web resources-

Primary and secondary sources of Data-

https://www.formpl.us/blog/primary-secondary-data

https://kalyan-city.blogspot.com/2014/12/difference-between-primary-and_1.html

https://www.juhsd.net/cms/lib010/CA01902464/Centricity/Domain/138/Sources.pdf

https://www.formpl.us/blog/primary-secondary-data

https://www.scribbr.com/citing-sources/primary-and-secondary-sources/

https://kalyan-city.blogspot.com/2014/12/difference-between-primary-and_1.html

https://www.toppr.com/guides/maths/statistics/data/

http://intellspot.com/primary-data-vs-secondary-data/

https://www.juhsd.net/cms/lib010/CA01902464/Centricity/Domain/138/Sources.pdf

Acquisition and Interpretation of Data

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Td7ZBp8Cpw

https://ugcnetpaper1.com/sources-acquisition-and-classification-of-data/

http://studentsrepo.um.edu.my/7884/5/CHAPTER_3.pdf

https://www.pcori.org/sites/default/files/PPR-R101-Session-3-SMART.pdf

https://www.uio.no/studier/emner/matnat/ifi/nedlagte-

emner/INF4260/h10/undervisningsmateriale/DataAnalysis.pdf

Graphical Representation and mapping of data-

https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/143688/2/file%202%20chapter%201%20data

%20representation%20techniques.pdf

http://ncert.nic.in/ncerts/l/legy303.pdf

https://www.slideshare.net/MOHITKUMARVERMA5/graphical-representation-of-data-mohit-

verma

ICT

https://futureofworking.com/10-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-technology-in-education/

https://www.legit.ng/1128521-concept-importance-ict-education.html

https://www.slideshare.net/atulunik/ict-concept-need-and-scope

https://www.slideshare.net/Vijirayar/information-and-communication-technology-in-education-

57360802

https://www.legit.ng/1128521-concept-importance-ict-education.html

http://archive.mu.ac.in/myweb_test/ma%20edu/ICT%20-%20Edu..pdf

https://www.ouritdept.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Common-Computer-Acronyms.pdf