Data modeling Created by jdeboel on 10/26/2010 8:41:22 AM How does data modeling work and why you should model your research data?
Split statistical results using an independent variable and a dependent variable.
Learn how the dependent variables are related to the independent variables.
Use psychometrics, and combine qualitative research with quantitative research.
In drobots you have the very powerful option to model your data. In this section you’ll learn how your data can be modeled and subsequently activated in drobots.
What is data modeling in drobots?
1. You separate the key questions in your project from the variables used to split the information. (ie. Gender, Age, Level of Income,…) In textbooks about statistics, this is called "dependent variable" and "independent variable"; because basically you want to understand how the dependent variables are related to the independent variables.
2. You define 1 or 2 data aggregation levels. You define how questions are to be combined into facets and how facets are to be combined into concepts. (ie. “Our price compared to competitors is much more acceptable”. Is an indicator question for the facet “Pricing”; and “Pricing” in turn, along with other facets, feeds the concept “Price/Quality”)
Most projects use only 1 aggregation level, in that case facets equal concepts.
In some projects (e.g. a poll) there are no facets nor concepts, only questions on which you want to analyze and report. In this case there is no modeling phase.
Why model your data?
Mainly because of the quality improvements for your project. Using our data model feature, you can:
1. Increase the reliability of the information: psychometrics learn us that by combining single questions, the measurement error in the information reduces.
2. Go for simplicity in reporting: key facts and relationships are easily available for you.
3. Follow an efficient analysis plan : top level findings are separated from detailed question level reporting.
4. Bridge the gap between qualitative and quantitative research paradigma’s. drobots allows you to define the key concepts you discovered in your qualitative research phase. From there on you can analyze and report on these concepts using scientifically valid quantitative methods. This is a unique feature in drobots.
Remember, stick to a structured approach, garbage in is garbage out.
