University of Vocational Technology

Faculty of Engineering Technology

Department of Construction Technology
Bachelor of Technology in Construction Technology & Resource Management

CT40611
Research Methodology & Concept Design of Projects
Tutorial 08

Instructed By: Lec. Piyumika Abeyrathne Name : H.P.D.T.P. Dayananda

REG. No. : BED/18/B1/01
Batch : 2018/2019
Date of sub : 12/10 /2020
01. What is the purpose of data analysis?

• To answer the research questions and to help determine the trends and relationships
among the variables.

02. What are the decisions should be taken before doing data analysis?

• Type: qualitative and/or quantitative

• Nature/Mode: Manual or mechanical

• Type of statistics: Descriptive-inferential

• Type of Analysis: Univariate-Bivariate-Multivariate-Scores

• Presentation: Textual-Tabular-Graphical

03. What are the steps of data analysis?

 Before data collection, the researcher should accomplish the following:

• Determine the method of data analysis

• Determine how to process the data

• Consult a statistician

• Prepare dummy tables

 After data collection

• Process the data

• Prepare table and graphs

• Analyze and interpret findings

• Consult again the statistician

• Prepare for editing

• Prepare for presentation

04. What are the two kinds of data analysis and describe each?

1. Descriptive analysis

• Refers to the description of the data from a particular sample

• Hence the conclusion must refer only to the sample.

• In other words, these summarize the data and describe sample characteristics.
 • Descriptive statistics: are numerical values obtained from the sample that gives
meaning to the data collected.

• Classification of descriptive analysis

o Frequency distribution – A systematic arrangement of numeric values from the

lowest to the highest or highest to lowest.

o Measure of central tendency – A statistical index that describes the average of the
set values.

o Measure of variability – Statistics that concern the degree to which the scores in a
distribution are different from or similar to each other.

2. Inferential analysis

• The use of statistical tests, either to test for significant relationships among
variables or to find statistical support for the hypotheses.

• Inferential statistics: are numerical values that enable the researcher to draw
conclusion about a population based on the characteristics of a population
sample. This is based on the laws of probability.

05. What are the uses of inferential analysis?

• Cited some statistical test for inferential analysis

1. T-test - Is used to examine the difference between the means of two independent groups.

2. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) – Is used to test the significance of differences between

means of two or more groups.

3. Chi-square – This is used to test hypotheses about the proportion of elements that fall into
various cells of a contingency table.

06. What are the steps of testing hypothesis?

• Determine the test statistics to be used

• Establish the level of significance

• Select a one-tailed or two-tailed test

• Compute a test statistic

• Calculate the degrees of freedom

• Obtain a tabled value for statistical test

• Compare the test statistics to the tabled value

07. What are the two types of data analysis and describe each?

1. Qualitative analysis

• Process of interpreting data collected during qualitative research

• Analysis depends on its type

2. Quantitative analysis

• Presenting and interpreting numerical data

• Includes descriptive analysis and inferential statistics

• Descriptive statistics include measures of central tendency and measures of

variability

• Inferential statistics is to test hypotheses set and relating findings to the sample or
population

08. What are the two types of graphical representation of data and describe each?

1. Graphs of time series

• In a line graph, the data are represented in a straight line.

2. Graphs of frequency distribution

• Frequency distribution is represented graphically.

09. What are the 4 types of graphs of time series and describe each?

1. Graph of one variable

• One variable is represented

• Plotting time along x-axis and the value of variable on y-axis, on a suitable
scale

• The points are joined by straight line

2. Graph of two or more variable

• Two or more variable are taken

• Comparison is easier in this type of graph.

3. Range chart

• Used to exhibit the minimum and maximum values of a variable

• Eg: range of variation in temperature on different days

 4. Band graph

• The various component parts are represented

• Also called component part line chart or layer chart

• The various component parts are plotted and between the mare shaded with
different colours.

10. What are the 4 types of graphs of frequency distribution and describe each?

1. Histogram

• Graph with frequency as vertical rectangles

• It is an area diagram

• x-axis with class intervals

• y-axis with frequencies

• vertical rectangles are to the height of the frequencies

• Width equal to the range of the class

• It is two dimensional

 Use of histogram

o Gives clear of entire data

o Simplifies complex data

o Attractive and impressive

o Facilitates comparison

2. Frequency polygon

• Curve consisting of straight line

• Lines drawn by connecting points located above the mid points of the intervals of

heights corresponding to frequencies

• Class intervals on x-axis and frequencies on y-axis

• Midpoint of various class intervals are taken

• The frequencies corresponding to each midpoint and all points are joined

 Uses of frequency polygon

 o Used to locate mode of frequency distribution easily

o It facilitates comparison of two or more frequency distribution on the same graph

3. Frequency curve

• Drawn through various points of the polygon

• Also called smoothed curve

• Smoothening of frequency polygon gives frequency curve

• Should begin and end at OX axis.

4. O gives

• They are cumulative frequency curve

• When frequencies are added called cumulative frequencies

• Two method

 Less than method

o We have to plot the less than cumulative frequencies against upper class

boundaries

o Joining the points by a smooth free hand give less than O gives

o Sloping from left to right

 More than method

o We have to plot the more than cumulative frequencies against upper class

boundaries

o Joining the points by a smooth free hand gives more than O gives

o Sloping from right to left