Writing Strategies for Describe Analysis

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Describe Analysis can be used to describe how data were prepared for analysis and to describe the actual data analysis. We also use this Strategy to communicate how data were selected (e.g., sampling, screening, cleaning, inclusion/exclusion or even correction). For interview data, you may describe the transcription process or for survey data, you may discuss how data were entered for analysis. Finally, this Strategy can be used to describe how the analysis was conducted and to indicate what was used, i.e. procedures for analysis (e.g., statistical techniques, coding schemes).

At this point in your Methods, you need to start thinking about consistency. When you get to your Results, readers will think back to your data analysis to process the connection between what you said you would do and what you actually did. Thus, make sure that your data and numbers are consistent throughout the manuscript, starting here in the Methods section.

Let’s take a look at some Language Use patterns for Describe Data Analysis: