Describing Data
Recall from previous chapters that the essence of empirical research is observation. Because science is also systematic, these observations are recorded, often in the form of measurements. As we have already seen, these measurements often result in masses of numbers. Therefore, the researcher will usually end up what a mass of data that is essentially meaningless. It is meaningless because it is overwhelming—the average mind simply cannot wrap itself around page after page of numbers. Before data can become useful, it must be simplified and organized.
Last Modified: 06/03/2021