1. Dissertation Related Data
All dissertations involve data
How obtained, analyzed, reported
Many of following slides come from
Practical Research by Leedy and Ormrod
Form of data depends on the type of dissertation study

2. Research Cycle
Practical Research by Leedy and Ormrod

3. Research Process
Practical Research by Leedy and Ormrod

4. Data Analysis Spiral
Practical Research by Leedy and Ormrod

5. Research Report Schema
Practical Research by Leedy and Ormrod

6. Data versus Truth
Practical Research by Leedy and Ormrod

7. Primary and Secondary Data
Data are not “Absolute Truth”
Primary data
Data closest to “Absolute Truth”
The most valid and illuminating data
Secondary data
Derived from primary data
The form of data usually used by the researcher in attempting to discover the truth

8. Primary and Secondary Data Fingerprint Example
“Absolute Truth” = true identity of person
Primary data
Fingerprint image, possibly only partial or distorted
Secondary data
Features (minutiae points) taken from the image
The form of data usually used by the researcher to discover the truth, in this case the person’s identity

9. Data Type Depends on Research Area
Type of Data
Machine Learning, Pattern Recognition, Data Mining, Artificial Intelligence
Visual Images, Speech Waveforms, Medical Data, Big Data, etc.
Historical Research
Historical Data
Qualitative Research
Surveys, Interviews