Quantitative Data Analysis—In the Graduate Curriculum

Michael J. Albers East Carolina University

Abstract

A quantitative research study collects numerical data that must be analyzed to help draw the study’s conclusions. Teaching quantitative data analysis is not teaching number crunching, but teaching a way of critical thinking for how to analyze the data. The goal of data analysis is to reveal the underlying patterns, trends, and relationships of a study’s contextual situation. Learning data analysis is not learning how to use statistical tests to crunch numbers but is, instead, how to use those statistical tests as a tool to draw valid conclusions from the data. Three major pedagogical goals that must be taught as part of learning quantitative data analysis are the following: (a) determining what questions to ask during all phases of a data analysis, (b) recognizing how to judge the relevance of potential questions, and (c) deciding how to understand the deep-level relationships within the data.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2017-04-01
DOI
10.1177/0047281617692067
Open Access
Closed
Topics

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (7)

  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  3. Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
Show all 7 →
  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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