2.2.1.3. Drawing Conclusions

The next step is to analyse data so collected through the use of statistical procedures to understand what the data mean. This can be achieved through graphical representations (such as preparation of pie-chart, bar-diagram, cumulative frequencies, etc.) and by the use of different statistical methods. The purpose of analysis is to verify a hypothesis and draw conclusions accordingly.

Drawing conclusions means interpreting the data collected in research to determine what they signify. After gathering data, researchers analyze it using statistical methods, which help summarize the data and visualize it through graphs like pie-charts or bar diagrams. This step is crucial because it allows researchers to check whether their initial predictions (hypotheses) about the data were accurate. For example, if a researcher hypothesized that increased study time improves test scores, analyzing the collected data will reveal whether their hypothesis is supported or not.

Imagine you are baking cookies. You follow a recipe and measure ingredients carefully. After mixing them, you might want to see how many cookies you made. Counting and organizing them visually, perhaps in a jar or on a plate, allows you to see if you followed the recipe successfully. Similarly, researchers organize and visualize their data to see if their initial predictions about the effects of study time on test scores were correct.

After analysing the data, the researcher may have begun the study with a hypothesis that there exists a relationship between viewing violence on television and aggression among children. S/he has to see whether the conclusions support this hypothesis. If they do, the existing hypothesis/theory is confirmed. If not, s/he will revise or state an alternative hypothesis/theory and again test it based on new data and draw conclusions which may be verified by future researchers.

This step involves checking the original assumption or hypothesis formed before the study began. If data analysis shows that there is indeed a connection between watching violent TV shows and aggressive behavior in children, the researcher can confirm their hypothesis. If, however, the data do not support this assumption, the researcher may need to change their hypothesis and retest it to find the actual relationship. This is an iterative process where conclusions can lead to new questions and further studies.

Consider a teacher believing that students learn better with visual aids. After observing a class without aids and a class with aids, the teacher analyzes the exam performance. If students with visual aids perform better, the initial belief is supported. But if the performance is similar, the teacher might reconsider the effectiveness of visual aids, perhaps adjusting teaching methods based on the new data, showing how hypotheses evolve with evidence.

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