Data analysis is the process of organizing, transforming, and systematizing data into valuable information. It involves the use of different types of softwares to convert these data into information. Some of the software used include the SPSS and the Epi 7. It may also involve the conversion of non-numerical data to numerical information hence making it easy to draw conclusions from the research (Govaert 2009).
This research will require both qualitative and quantitative data. This thus will imply the use of a series of data collection methods in order to achieve the best information. The methods of collecting the data will include Observation, one on one interview, questionnaires, use of the Marwit Meuser caregiver grief inventory (MM-CGI) as well as the brief grief questionnaire (Haining 2003).
Observations will study the reaction of the nurses by taking keen notice on their facial expressions. The sadness that may be experienced will be in their faces. This will provide a new view to the research problem as the researcher will be able to give his own opinion on the matter.
One on one interview will also be used to extract information from the nurses. This will provide an ample time to get in depth information from the nurses as the researcher will engage him in questions in whatever points that he is not clear. Here, the researcher will get a chance to clarify the questions thereby getting relevant answers (Govaert 2009).
Another method of collecting data is by presenting the nurses with questionnaires, both open ended and closed ended questionnaires to get their reactions regarding grief and their routine practices. These questionnaires enhance confidentiality in the part of the nurses. It also helps in avoiding of the researcher bias. The nurses also have enough time to reflect upon their answers thereby making them to provide up to date information. Marwit- Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM-CGI) will also be used to gather the required information in order to come up with very reliable information. (Mulligan, E. A. 2011)).
Lastly, there will be use of brief grief questionnaire, a unique type of questionnaire that will provide enough data to help us find the real effects of grief in nursing. Here, the nurses will rate the effects of their grief in a range of 1-5. This will thereafter be analyzed by use of the analysis software (Govaert 2009).
In addition, the interviews are recorded and put to paper, explaining how the nurses responded to the questions asked. Here, the researcher will take notes of the responses given by the nurses. This can either be in the form of recordings or on paper.
The most preferred method, the use of the questionnaire will be used more. Here, a set of printed questions will be handed to the nurses for them to respond. This data will then be analysed by the use of the software, the statistical package for social science (spss). Here, each question will be analyzed by providing a descriptive frequency tables to show the effect of grief to the nurses (Govaert 2009).
Subsequently, the answers obtained from the reviews of the MM-CGI and the brief grief questionnaires will be sort. This data will then be analyzed by calculating the frequencies of each question by using the software SPSS (Mulligan, E. A. 2011).
The technique that will be used in the analysis of these data is by coding. This is an interpretive technique that tends to not only organize the dada, but also it helps in providing a way to interpret this data into quantitative data. Here each segment of the question is denoted with a code, normally a short phrase that shows how the data segments inform the research objectives. It is after this process that the data is run through the computer programs for analysis to get the frequencies. This applies to both the qualitative and quantitative data.
However for the qualitative data, this data has to be first categorized through scaling of the level of grief. This levels are then coded and the coded data may then be run through the computer programs as well so as to get the frequencies that are easy to interprete.
These methods of analysis were used because of their different importance. First the observation method prevents bias as the researcher gets first hand information regarding the respondents thought. The interview, on the other hand, offers a great deal of in-depth information by allowing for the interrogations on the nurses. These methods of analyses are also easy to accomplish and require not much expertise in handling them. The importance of using SPSS is, however, the fact that it gives the statistical picture of the research. (Govaert 2009).
The frequencies given by this software can be used to offer the statistical view on the research, stating the numbers as they are. The MM-CGI and the brief grief questionnaires are all easy to administer and to use. It does not require a lot of knowledge in answering them and hence conducive for the nurses to answer. (Mulligan, E. A. 2011)).
Most of this information on processing will be presented in the form of graphs and pie charts. These graphs and pie charts will be used to show the differences in the effects of grief on the nurses. This is to imply, the graphs and pie charts will show, in form of percentages, the number of nurses that are extremely, moderately or rarely affected by the grief that they face as a result of their work. For example, 40% of the nurses questioned were extremely affected, 35% moderately affected and the remaining 25% rarely influenced by the grief. This will give a comparative view on the responses. Graphical presentations are also easy to read and interpret. Also, possible is the ability to present the information in the form of tables. Tables are also an easy and efficient way of presenting data. (Govaert 2009).
b. For quality data, the variables are scaled, and categorized with the highest level being denoted by a figure, say five, and the lowest level, in this instance the level of grief denoted by zero. The frequencies of each variable is then got by running it through the SPSS, this frequencies are then used to answer the emerging research questions.
c. The quantity and quality approach will be significant as both the intensity of the effects of grief or its intensiveness as well as the exact number of those affected will easily be determined from these two approaches.
References
Govaert, G, (2009). Data analysis. ISTE
Haining, R. (2003). Spatial data analysis theory and practice. Cambridge University Press
Data Analysis. (n.d.). Responsible Conduct in Data Management. Retrieved October 7, 2013, from Http://ori.dhhs.gov/education/products/n_illinois_u/datamanagement/datopic.html
Data Analysis & Graphs. (n.d.). SCIENCE BUDDIES. Retrieved October 7, 2013, from Http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_data_analysis.shtml#overview
Mulligan, E. A. (2011). Grief among dementia caregivers a comparison of two assessment systems. Saint Louis, Mo.: Washington University.
