How to Analyze Data in a Primary Research Study

Melody Denny & Lindsay Clark

Volume 4

Chapter Description

This chapter introduces students to the idea of working with primary research data grounded in qualitative inquiry, closed-and open-ended methods, and research ethics (Driscoll; Mackey and Gass; Morse; Scott and Garner). We know this can seem intimidating to students, so we will walk them through the process of analyzing primary research, using information from public datasets including the Pew Research Center. Using sample data on teen social media use, we share our processes for analyzing sample data to demonstrate different approaches for analyzing primary research data (Charmaz; Creswell; Merriam and Tisdale; SaldaƱa). We also include links to additional public data sets, chapter discussion prompts, and sample activities for students to apply these strategies.  

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