Data Analysis Section
George Mason University and Curtin University guidance treat data analysis as a methods-stage explanation of how collected data were prepared, examined, coded, summarized, or statistically tested, with techniques matched to the study. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies use different analytical traditions; required detail and section placement depend on the field, design, and publication venue.
A Data Analysis section explains how the raw or collected data were transformed into findings, including the analytical approach, preparation steps, coding or statistical techniques, and relevant tools when needed.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies use different analytical traditions; required detail and section placement depend on the field, design, and publication venue.
Further guidance
Content
Link the analysis to the research questions and data type, state material preprocessing or coding decisions, and justify important choices when the discipline or venue expects that explanation.
Practical Application
Explain how the collected data were prepared and analyzed to answer the research question: include material cleaning/preparation steps, coding or statistical techniques, and relevant tools or decision rules when they affect interpretation or reproducibility. Keep this methods-stage explanation distinct from the Results section, which reports what the analysis found.
Purpose
A Data Analysis section explains how the raw or collected data were transformed into findings, including the analytical approach, preparation steps, coding or statistical techniques, and relevant tools when needed.
Reader Check
Could a knowledgeable reader understand how raw or collected data became the reported findings without having to infer the analysis from the results tables?
Worked Example
For a quantitative study, state the preparation steps and statistical tests used for the specified outcomes; for a qualitative study, describe the coding or thematic procedure used to identify and interpret patterns, at the level required by the field.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Scientific (IMRaD) Research Reports — Methods Section (opens in a new tab)George Mason University Writing Center · University writing-center guidance that an IMRaD methods section explains how research was conducted with enough relevant detail for understanding/replication
- Data analysis techniques — Quantitative methods (opens in a new tab)Curtin University Library · University research-methods guidance on quantitative data analysis, including statistical techniques for summarizing data and testing hypotheses.
- Data analysis techniques — Qualitative and mixed methods (opens in a new tab)Curtin University Library · University research-methods guidance on qualitative analysis techniques for identifying and interpreting patterns, themes, and meanings.