This document discusses terminology and processes related to analyzing data from the Dyslexia Usability Project. It defines key terms like data, qualitative research, and data transcription. It explains that data analysis involves interpreting what the data shows about users and the information product, and using those findings to make recommendations. The document also outlines the typical sections of a social science journal article and instructs students to bring observation notes to an upcoming data analysis session.

1. WRA 420 Class — 04.02.07 ON DATA ANALYSIS FOR THE DYSLEXIA USABILITY PROJECT

2. Terminology • DATA —> verifiable and replicable facts collected in a research study; the “evidence” that everyone shares - integrity of data set is important - ethics of protecting rights and privacy of participants is important • QUALITATIVE RESEARCH —> based primarily on observations, interviews, descriptions, and non-quantitative forms of data (e.g., words, pictures)

3. Terminology • DATA is a plural word! (though often treated as collective singular noun) … — > “The data collected in this study SHOW that …” — > “Our collected data IS stored in the usability lab.” • DATUM is, strictly speaking, the singular form — but it is seldom used

4. Terminology • DATA TRANSCRIPTION AND COMPILATION —> creating a usable data set, pooling data into tables (for analysis, for presentation in writeup) • ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION —> what the data says, what it means: about the information product? about users of a certain type (dyslexic) • RECOMMENDATIONS — > what actions do we take or suggest as a result of the analysis? (e.g., changes in the web site)

5. O’Neil data table on community informatics studies (p. 85)

6. Data compilation

7. Data compilation

8. Genre: The Social Science Journal Article — genre for the dyslexia study Abstract Introduction Literature Review —> Jake is doing the write up of this section for his “Research Update Article” Methodology Results/Findings —> The WRA 420 class is doing the data presentation section of the article Conclusion / Recommendations Appendixes References

9. Data Analysis Session on 04.04.07 • Bring your observation notes to class (in the UAC), + enough copies for everyone • Be prepared to talk about the participant you observed: what impressions did you form based on the session? what evidence can you provide (from video, from notes) to support your impressions? • As a group, we will go through ONE of the tasks and discuss how each of the six participants handled that one task —> basically, we will begin drafting the results section for the usability report

10. What a task writeup looks like