Dissertation data analysis

While market research consulting is my primary business, I also assist individuals who are working on their academic theses and dissertations with data analysis and results interpretation. It was quite easy for me to decide to offer this “side” service because, out of the different phases of the research process, I enjoy data analysis the most.

I decided to do a quick count of the number of students that I have assisted over the past 5 years and the total is 133. Of these 16(14%) were at honours, 83(74%) at masters’ and 14 (12%) at doctorate levels of study.

Although I happen to be proficient at both quantitative and qualitative data analysis methods and techniques, it is interesting that the bulk (69%) of the analysis assignments that I have completed have been quantitative (statistical analysis) compared to 23% for qualitative (thematic analysis). Only 8% of the assignments comprised of both quantitative and qualitative data analysis (i.e., mixed methods).

Talking about the research methods, adoption of a mixed methods design amongst my clients tended to increase with level of study. None (0%) of the honours level students had utilised a mixed methods design in their dissertations, compared to masters’ students (6%) and doctorate students (29%).

Altogether, I am currently assisting an average of two students per month and I am quite thankful for that, especially as many of them usually go on to recommend my services to others. I am equally grateful that I get exposed to a wide range of academic fields and topics and thus get to learn new things in the process.