The third and last way is data analysis – researchers do it in both top-down and bottom-up fashion. It helps find patterns and themes in the data for easy identification and linking. Summarization and categorization together contribute to becoming the second known method used for data reduction. Three essential things occur during the data analysis process - the first is data organization. The data analysis process helps reduce a large chunk of data into smaller fragments, which makes sense. Considerations in research data analysisĭefinition of research in data analysis: According to LeCompte and Schensul, research data analysis is a process used by researchers to reduce data to a story and interpret it to derive insights.Methods used for data analysis in quantitative research.Methods used for data analysis in qualitative research.Finding patterns in the qualitative data.