ABSTRACT
This chapter highlights the key options available to the teacher-researcher when gathering numerical data, and also explores data analysis. As every teacher knows, there are multiple ways of setting a test. In fact, just about any educational task could be set as a test, as long as there is some way of judging the outcome in a way that provides with numerical data. Quantitative data can also be gathered via surveys, meaning a research study that gathers data from a broad sample using a questionnaire. The questions will typically ask for simple factual answers, responses on a scale or choices from a selection of options. An observation is a way of gathering data by simply watching and recording people’s behaviour as it happens. It lends itself to gathering data on things that can be seen externally, such as how long a pupil stays on task or their classroom behaviour, but is less useful for finding out about things like thoughts.
