Synthesizing Data: from noise to music

Fiona Jeffries, MABrandon Regional Health Authority

Data Leading to Action: From Chaos to ClarityJanuary 19, 2009

Where’s my circuit board?

No magic formula

Ask more questions! Of your data Of other sources Of the people described in the data

Start with your data Look at your numbers What stands out? Are they what you expected? Why might they be the way they are?

Start with your data - example

Body Weight

20% 17%

63%

22% 10%

67%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Underw eight Healthy w eight Overw eight

% o

f res

pond

ents

M F

Perception of Body Weight

57%

23%18%

54%

11%

32%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Underw eight Healthy w eight Overw eight

% o

f res

pond

ents

M F

Question your data

Multivariate analysis? Compare related data within your

data set

What are your assumptions? Do the data seem to confirm them or

suggest something else? What other questions occur to you?

Question your data - example

Multivariate analysis Does overweight correlate with:

Inactivity Low Fruit and Vegetable consumption Feeling safe at school?

What links can we make with other indicators?

Correlation ≠ Causation

Look to the sources What other sources speak to your

data? Population surveys (e.g. CCHS, Census)

Likely more general than your data

Published research (academic journals) Likely more specific than your data

Differences or similarities? Do they answer your questions or suggest

more questions?

Look to the sources - example CCHS 2004

Canadian household population age 12-17 29% overweight

Published Research Abnormal perception of body weight is not

solely observed in pubertal girls: incorrect body image in children and its relationship to body weight, H. Ohtahara, et al. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica Volume 87 Issue 3

Ask the subjects

Qualitative data – what people say Ask the people you studied what they

think

Focus groups World Café discussions Photovoice Participatory video Social networking groups

The circuit board Your brain – think about what you find Your team – discuss with others who

may know things you don’t know Explore possible meanings and ways

the story can fit together

Loop! Repeat the steps as needed – this is not

a linear process!

Play the tune

The story begins to emerge Show your data Describe how the other sources add

to the story Don’t be afraid to point out questions

you can’t answer!