To check survey results for a class assignment, you should export your raw data, clean it by removing incomplete responses, and use descriptive statistics to identify key trends and patterns. Analyzing your primary data step-by-step ensures your final report is accurate, well-reasoned, and ready for grading.
1. Export and Clean Your Data
Before diving into data analysis, download your survey responses from your chosen survey tool (like Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey, or Google Forms). Export the file as a spreadsheet, typically in a CSV or Excel format. Data cleaning is an essential first step. Review your dataset to remove duplicate entries and filter out incomplete responses that might skew your results. You should also look out for "straight-lining," which happens when a respondent selects the exact same answer choice down an entire column of questions without actually reading them.
2. Review Descriptive Statistics
Start by looking at the basic summaries of your raw data. Many survey platforms feature built-in reporting dashboards that automatically generate preliminary charts. For quantitative questions, calculate descriptive statistics such as the mean (average), median (middle value), and mode (most frequent response). For categorical data, such as multiple-choice questions, look at the frequencies and percentages to clearly understand how the majority of your participants responded.
3. Run Cross-Tabulations
If your class assignment requires a deeper level of analysis beyond basic summaries, use cross-tabulation (often called crosstabs). This technique allows you to compare how different subgroups answered specific questions. For example, you might compare survey results between different age groups, geographic locations, or academic majors. Breaking down the data this way helps uncover hidden relationships and provides richer insights for your final paper.
4. Visualize Your Results
Raw numbers in a spreadsheet can be difficult to interpret. Translate your key findings into visual formats like bar charts, pie charts, or scatter plots. Good data visualization not only helps you understand the survey results better yourself, but it also makes your final assignment much easier for your professor to read and evaluate.
5. Contextualize with Existing Literature
Once you have analyzed and visualized your numbers, you need to explain what they mean. A strong academic assignment compares your primary survey data with existing secondary research. To see if your findings align with previously published studies, WisPaper's Scholar Search can help you quickly track down relevant academic papers by understanding your underlying research intent, filtering out the irrelevant noise you often get with standard keyword searches. Connecting your unique survey results to established literature demonstrates a deep understanding of your course material and strengthens your final conclusions.
