Data Analysis and Dissemination

Self-reflection
For a successful completion of any program, data analysis and results dissemination is a crucial part of the processes. Data analysis is the processes of project reporting that involves inspection, cleansing, transformation, and modeling of the data collected with the aim of establishing information that is useful in suggesting the possible conclusions and in providing insights to support the decisions made (Ott & Longnecker, 2015). Dissemination on the other hand is the processes of getting out the findings of the project. This can be done through various platforms among them presentations and written report. Results dissemination is a critical process in program implementation for it creates a link between the researchers and the field.
Data analysis for me is a rather challenging process and often, I get entangled in the various processes. The method selected for data analysis will depend on the nature and the type of the research. There are basically two dominant types of research, quantitative – which involves quantities i.e. data that is in numerical value, and qualitative – which involves qualities e.g. the color of flowers. These two types of research methods warrant different data analysis methods. I am well comfortable with qualitative data analysis methods which included grounded theory analysis, narrative analysis, and content analysis among others. These methods of analyzing qualitative data are pretty much bordered on the theme of understanding the data presented thus, easy and straightforward.
However, the analysis of quantitative data is not very easy for me. There are numerous methods of analyzing data collected through quantitative research. Some of the most common methods are F-test, ANOVA test, Chi-square, and T-test (Ott & Longnecker, 2015). Even though these methods are typically easy and straight forward, for me, its normally difficult and confusing to know which method is the right one to use in analyzing a piece of given data, especially when the type of analysis is not indicated. Currently, these methods of analyzing quantitative data can be carried out through software with the most common being SPSS. However, I am frequently not sure what the results mean, and this is further made worse by the confidence level.
Areas for improvement
Professionally, it is obvious that I need more exposure with the analysis of quantitative data. I need to firmly grasp the various methods of analyzing quantitative data and when to use which method. I also needed more exposure with significance level, what they mean and how they are used in the analysis and the consumption of quantitative results. With regard to dissemination of results, even though I am considerably comfortable with the various processes of data dissemination, I fell I need to develop more, oral presentation for example, PowerPoint presentation (Stage & Manning, 2015). PowerPoint requires both preparation of the script, with notes and the presentation phase.
To develop skills and expertise in the analysis of quantitative data, I will need to undertake additional study beyond the course coverage. I will have to read extensively from various authors so as to gain advance understanding of the various methods of analyzing quantitative data from various perspectives. In addition to extensive reading, I will need to follow data analysis example, replicate then, then progress to carrying out data analysis from own-constructed exemplar data. I believe that with continued practice of data analysis, I will be able to develop confidence and command of the processes. Likewise, to develop expertise is the creation of presentations and being able to confidently make the oral presentation, I think I need more practice. To create an informational presentation requires summarizing of the relevant information, and providing more information in the notes section. To fully understand the process of designing a presentation, I will need to practice more on the use of the various tools provided in a presentation template e.g. notes section, timing, and the various templates in the design of a presentation (McBride, 2016). Moreover, I will need more practice in oral presentation whether in formal settings, or informally e.g. alone or before my colleagues.


References
McBride, N. (2016). Dissemination Phase of the Intervention Research Framework: Presentation and Dissemination of Results. In Intervention Research (pp. 149-164). Springer Singapore.
Ott, R. L., & Longnecker, M. T. (2015). An introduction to statistical methods and data analysis. Nelson Education.
Stage, F. K., & Manning, K. (Eds.). (2015). Research in the college context: Approaches and methods. Routledge.