Interpretation of Data
According to F.L. Whitney, interpretation means an adequate exposition of the true meaning of the material presented in terms of the purposes of the study being reported and of the chapter and section topic involved.
Purpose
The following are the main purposes of interpretation of data or results;
(i) To throw light on the real significance of the material in the
context.
(ii) To understand implications of the data.
(iii) To provide hints of conclusions and recommendations of the
researcher.
(iv) To show the values of greatest worth that has resulted from the
research.
(v) To refer important generalization.
Factors
The researcher should keep the following factors in consideration in
interpretation of data;
(i) Not to ignore those factors which are unstudied:
In social / behavioral researches there are many factors which have
their impact upon the findings of the research but no researcher is in
the position to study all the factors. Naturally he does not take into
account in interpretation of the results those factors which have not
been studied. It has its effect upon the search of truth. Thus the
researcher should take into consideration such factors in his
interpretation. For example if a comparison has been made between
the traditional method of teaching and any modern method of teaching
in respect of effectiveness of teaching, the interpretation that successful
attainment is the result of method of teaching only is complete denial of
the role of general mental ability, high achievement motivation and
better study habits etc.
(ii) Not to ignore those factors which have not been selected for study:
In social / behavioral researches, the subjects are generally so large that
the researcher collects the data from a selected group only. The
researcher should remember that some factors which have not been
included in selective group are equally important in their impact upon
findings. For example if the researcher collects data from a particular
school in a particular area and then he concludes about all the
schools/colleges.
(iii) Not to over –interpret the expected results:
The researcher should remember that even if he finds the findings of
the research as per his expectations he should not interpret more than
what can be interpreted on the basis of data available. The researcher
should be cautious that he reports all such factors which might be
responsible for the findings.
(iv) Not to exercise defense mechanism in interpreting the results:
The researcher should remember that it is not necessary that the
hypotheses should always be confirmed. It is possible that the
researcher may exercise defense mechanism if the results of the study
are not found as per expectations of the research. In such a situation he
should not try to find faults in tools or samples for the results against his
expectations. If any researcher tries to do so, his interpretation will not
be considered fair. The hypotheses are made in the beginning of the
research when the knowledge of the researcher about the problem is
very limited. Agreement between the tentative and the results is not
necessary.
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