Processing and Analysis of Data - Research Methodology - page 73

Slide 8.3: Step 3 showing the output of sorted data in Excel data sheet

From the arrangement of the above data set,
it is clear that the yield of paddy has a maximum
value 87.50 q/ha and a minimum value 12.80 q/ha,
thereby having a yield difference of 74.8 q/ha
between the highest yielder and the lowest yielder.

nature of the data set which may not be possible
(particularly when a number of observations are
large) otherwise. Either scrutiny followed by
arrangement (for small number of observations)
or arrangement followed by scrutiny would help.
1. To know the maximum and minimum values
of the observations.
2. Whether the values of the observations are
consistent with the area of interest under con-
sideration or not. That means whether there is
any possibility of the data set containing out-
lier or not.
3. Whether the data set could be used for further
analysis towards fulfilling the objective of the
study or not.
Arrangements of data can be made using
SORT command in MS Excel or similar com-
mand in other similar software.

8.1.1 Scrutiny and Arrangement
of Data

Raw data set is put under careful examination to
find out the existence of any abnormal/doubtful
observation, to detect errors and omissions, if any,
and to rectify these. Editing/scrutiny of data
ensures the accuracy, uniformity, and consistency
of data. If the observations are few in number,
during scrutiny, one can have an overall idea
about the information collected or collated. If the
number of observations is large, then one may go
for arrangement of observations in order, that is,
either ascending or descending order and then go
for scrutiny. Scrutiny and arrangement of data
help to have preliminary knowledge about the

Example 8.2. For discrete data, one may think of

the formation of array. The formation of array
taking the number of effective tiller (ET) data for
100 varieties of paddy is demonstrated as follows:

Raw data:
Variety

ETL Variety ETL Variety ETL Variety ETL

1 16 26 17 51 18 76 16

2 15 27 22 52 20 77 26