Given Hapunda

140 Introduction At the heart of every project is the analysis of data. This involves processes of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modelling data with the goal of discovering useful information, suggesting conclusions, and supporting decision-making. Many scholars have different but convergent meanings of data analysis. For example, Marrshall & Rossman (1990) define data analysis as a process of bringing order, structure and meaning to the mass of collected data. This process is seen as a messy, ambiguous, time-consuming yet creative and fascinating process. LeCompte & Schensul (1999) define it as the process a researcher uses to reduce data to an interpretable story. With all the processes in data analysis, it does not proceed in a linear fashion and it is not neat. Three pertinent issues are identified in data analysis: 1) data organisation; 2) data reduction through summarization and categorisation; 3) linking patterns and themes (Patton, 1987). Generally, statistics are used to describe the characteristics of a group of observations or to draw inferences for purposes of making generalisations from a sample group to a larger group or population. More specifically, data analysing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follows much the same principle. Data analysis in M&E enables researchers to assess whether a programme has achieved the set objectives at programme and population level. There are primarily two paradigms of dealing with data in M&E; quantitative and qualitative. Each of the paradigms has unique processes and procedures for data analysis and interpretation. Dealing with the Data Before any data can be analysed, (quantitative or qualitative) preliminary steps important to the processing of data must be engaged. Below are some of the crucial processes that data analysts must consider before getting to the actual analysis. 1. Field editing As the first step in the processing of data, field editing involves reviewing data for completeness and legibility. This process is conducted while still in the field. It involves systematically reviewing field notes; transcripts from in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, observations and questionnaires. In this process, data is reviewed for completeness and legibility while data collectors’ memories are still fresh. This process enables consultations with the sources of the data facilities or persons, in the event that the data provided may not be clear. This process also helps with the systematic organisation of the data such as recording the date, place, name or identifier of the informant.