Converting Data to Information

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Converting Data to Information
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Converting Data to Information

• Know your data
• Know your audience
• Tell a story

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Know Your Data

• Construct simple frequency distribution for every
  variable
• Examine data distribution
• Identify meaningful indicator to summarize
• N number
• percentage
• Mean

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Know Your Data

• Examine indicator for patterns across subgroups
  within your sample
• Sex
• Race/Ethnicity
• Class level
• College of Enrollment
• Program participation/Non-participation

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Converting Data to Information - Examples
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Converting Data to Information - Examples
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Converting Data to Information - Examples
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Converting Data to Information - Examples
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The Extent to Which 35 Abilities and Skills Were
Enhanced by the Undergraduate Program (N1775
Alumni)
Average Response
(Scale of 1 to 5)
Exercise personal responsibility
70
8
3.9
Maintain openness to new ideas
8
68
3.9
66
8
Think analytically logically
3.8
Function independently
66
9
3.8
Learn how to learn
64
17
3.8
63
Exercise self-discipline
11
3.8
59
10
Acquire new skills knowledge
3.7
53
Adapt to social situations
17
3.5
50
Listen effectively
15
3.5
50
Understand myself
17
3.4
49
16
Exercise problem solving skills
3.4
47
Write effectively
17
3.4
43
18
Possess clear goals
3.3
43
23
Speak effectively
3.3
43
Carry out research
26
3.2
41
27
Relate to people of different races
3.2
41
Know literature of recognized merit
29
3.2
0
20
40
60
80
100
0
20
40
60
80
100
Percent responding 1 or 2(low)
Percent responding 4 or 5(high)
on a 5 point scale
on a 5 point scale
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The Extent to Which 35 Abilities and Skills Were
Enhanced by the Undergraduate Program (N1775
Alumni)
Average Response
(Scale of 1 to 5)
Evaluate and choose among alternatives
11
39
3.2
Understand cultural differences
39
34
3.1
38
27
Be effective team member
3.1
33
37
Produce scholarship
3.0
Analyze literature critically
35
37
3.0
36
37
Understand scientific findings
3.0
Cope with conflict
28
36
3.1
36
34
Appreciate artistic expression
2.9
37
34
Use statistics
2.9
35
32
Place problems in historical perspective
3.0
41
32
Understand math concepts
2.8
37
31
Take moral ethical action
2.9
42
31
Employ scientific methods
2.8
38
30
Lead and supervise others
2.9
44
30
Solve math problems
2.7
29
45
2.7
Analyze scientific data
27
58
2.4
Use foreign language skills
19
61
Utilize computing skills
2.2
0
20
40
60
80
100
0
20
40
60
80
100
Percent responding 1 or 2(low)
Percent responding 4 or 5(high)
on a 5 point scale
on a 5 point scale
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Know Your Data

• Small Group Exercise