This document discusses interpretation in research methodology. Interpretation involves drawing inferences from collected facts after analytical or experimental study. It has two main aspects: establishing continuity of research and explanatory concepts. Interpretation allows researchers to understand abstract principles, link findings across studies, serve as a guide for future research, and better appreciate the significance of their own study. Techniques of interpretation include generalization, considering extraneous information, consulting experts, and considering all relevant factors. Precautions in interpretation involve ensuring accurate data, avoiding wrong statistical interpretation, distinguishing broad vs restricted generalizations, and interacting empirical observation with theoretical concepts.

1. Research Methodology
Interpretation
Amandeep Singh
Assistant Professor,
Department of Biotechnology,
GSSDGS Khalsa College,
Patiala.

2. Interpretation
• It is the task of drawing inferences from the collected
facts after an analytical or experimental study.
• The task of interpretation has 2 major aspects:
1. Effort to establish the continuity of research
2. Establishment of some explanatory concepts
One Study Another Study
Your Study
Your Study
Continuation of Research Explanatory Concepts

3. Reasons for Interpretation
1. Through interpretation, a researcher can understand the
abstract principle and thus maintain the continuity of research.
1st researcher can link his findings with 2nd researcher having the
same abstract principle through interpretation.
1st Researcher 2nd Researcher
Research
Findings
Research
Findings
Link
Through
Interpretation

4. Reasons for Interpretation
2. Serve as a guide for future research.
3. Researcher can better appreciate only through
interpretation and to understand the real
significance of his study.
4. Interpretation of exploratory research often
results into hypothesis of experimental research,
results in transition from exploratory to
experimental research. This type of interpretation
is known as ‘post factum’ (after the fact)
interpretation.

5. Reasons for Interpretation
Appreciation & Significance of study
Continuation of Research Guide for Future Research
Exploratory
Research
Experimental
Research
Hypothesis

6. Techniques of Interpretation
1. Generalization & Concept formulation
2. Extraneous information (irrelevant or unrelated
to the subject being studied) must be considered,
which prove to be a key factor in understanding
the problem under consideration.
3. Before final interpretation, consult a subject
expert or friend with that specialization to point
out omissions and errors in the research work.
4. Considering all relevant factors to avoid false
generalization.

7. Techniques of Interpretation
Generalization & Concept formulation Consider Extraneous information
Consult a subject expert Consider all relevant factors

8. Precautions in Interpretation
If data are properly calculated and analyzed
but wrong interpretation is done that leads to
inaccurate conclusion.
Data
Wrong Interpretation
Inaccurate Conclusion
X
X
Data
Correct Interpretation
Accurate Conclusion

9. Precautions in Interpretation
Researcher Attention
Data
• Appropriate
• Trustworthy
• Adequate
Reflect good
Homogeneity
Proper analysis through
Statistical methods
To draw
inferences

10. Precautions in Interpretation
Check for Errors
Wrong interpretation of
Statistical measures
Hypothesis testing
Positive
test results
Negative
test results
Should be interpreted as “being in accord”
Rather than “confirming the validity of the hypothesis”
Wrong Inferences

11. Precautions in Interpretation
Researcher must consider interpretation with data analysis.
Data
Analysis
Interpretation
Reliability
Validity
Computational
checks
Comparison of
Results

12. Precautions in Interpretation
Researcher should identify and separate broad generalizations form the restricted
ones, as most of the research is not amendable to broad generalization.
Researcher should focus on restricted coverage (particular time, particular area and
particular conditions). Research must be framed within these frame limits.

13. Precautions in Interpretation
There should be constant interaction between empirical
observation (data from experimentation) and theoretical
conception (theoretical concepts of subject under study).