C.A.R. Part #6 - The Data Analysis
Description
This
section reveals the findings from the Research Process and often contains
charts and graphs, survey results, polls, and other staples of reporting data.
The most critical part, however, is your analysis and interpretation of the
data. What worked? What didn't work? Was the problem remedied? Did nothing
change? If your solution to a problem fails, that's OK! Some of the most
important research builds off earlier attempts that fizzled out, were
inconclusive, or went belly up. Remember... good C.A.R. projects are cyclical and
set into motion the need for future research. Your grade will NOT be harmed if
your C.A.R. doesn't "solve" the world's problems! (NOTE: When you are done tallying your surveys... do NOT throw them away! All surveys will need to be kept for four years. You are not responsible for retaining this material. Rather, bring it in to class, and Dr. Hartnell will put it in a filing cabinet. After four years, all surveys will be shredded. This is done in the event any future researcher wishes to look at your raw numbers or if concerns arise over the validity of what you reported.)
Dr. Hartnell's Helpful Hints
1. Put
YOUR last name and the page number in the upper-right corner.
2. The words Data Analysis (in bold) appear at the top of this page. They are centered on the page. Your paper should already be set to "double-spaced", which means all you need to do is hit the "Enter" key ONCE to ensure the proper spacing between the words Data Analysis and the start of your text.
3.
Hit
"Enter" again to begin the text of your Data Analysis.
4.
DO
indent the first sentence of your Data Analysis and all paragraphs
throughout.
5. The
Data Analysis is double-spaced, left-justified, and begins on its own page,
regardless of how long the Research Process runs. (In other words, even if the
Research Process runs five full page and two lines of a sixth, the Data Analysis
begins on a new page. This is true for all the major sections of your
C.A.R. written report.)
6. The
Data Analysis will require you to make connections between your own results and those that came before you. As such, you will need to reference your Literature Review to support - or refute - your findings. Some of the quotes from your Literature Review are permitted to be used again in the Data Analysis (except for any block quotes).
7. A blank copy of any surveys that are used in your C.A.R. need to appear in their entirety in the Appendix, which is the section located after the Annotated Bibliography.
8. Don't
forget that the margins throughout must be the default setting that appear when
you open a new Word Processing Document. DON'T try to cheat and alter them.
9. LENGTH: The
Data Analysis should be no fewer than 5 pages in length. You may exceed this
limit. This section will contain most of your charts and graphs because they
help display your results. However, such items do NOT count toward the 5 page
minimum!
Sample C.A.R. - The Data Analysis
[Click the button above to download a copy of this sample Data Analysis]
