Data

(noun)

pieces of information.

Related Terms

Examples of Data in the following topics:

  • MLA: Reporting Data

  • APA: Reporting Data

  • Chicago/Turabian: Reporting Data

  • MLA: Reporting Data

  • Chicago/Turabian: Reporting Data

  • Starting with the Data

    • In scientific writing, the primary evidence you will rely on is your data.
    • Scientific work is structured around data, and the conclusions must be based on verifiable data.
    • In addition, part of reliable data comes from the method used to acquire the data.
    • Scientific work is structured around data, and the conclusions must be based on verifiable data.
    • In addition, part of reliable data comes from the method used to acquire the data.

  • Conducting Research

    • Before you begin researching, think about the kind of data you need and which methodology would be most useful in gathering it.
    • Quantitative research is used to measure quantities or amounts, then to track those amounts against earlier data to try and predict what that quantity will become in the future.
    • It relies heavily on measurements, numerical data, and mathematical models-- particularly those found in statistics.
    • Qualitative research involves collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data about what people do and say.

  • Results

    • The results section of a scientific paper objectively presents the empirical data collected in a study.
    • It should include empirical data, any relevant graphics, and language about whether the thesis or hypothesis was supported.
    • The most you should do in the results section is present the data your experiments produced.

  • Overview of the IMRAD Model

    • Look at primary-research reports and data sets in addition to secondary or analytical sources.
    • This section should explain how you collected and evaluated your data.
    • After you support your methods of data collection or creation, defend the framework you use to analyze or interpret the data.
    • Include information about your population, sample frame, sample method, sample size, data-collection method, and data processing and analysis.
    • Identify patterns in the data, and explain how they correlate with what is known in the field, as well as whether they are what you expected to find.

  • APA: Reporting Statistics

    • Because papers using APA style often report experimental data, you must be able to discuss statistics in your paper.