ABSTRACT
The title of this chapter, 'Making it count', is intended to convey the importance of data analysis to the research process. The implication of the title is that without analysis the research process discussed thus far can achieve little in terms of explaining social phenomena. Whilst we do not wish to undermine the significance or importance of anything we have said so far about research design and the various approaches to data collection, it is important to recognise that unless data are subjected to careful analysis, then their potential to facilitate explanation and understanding cannot be realised. We would go so far as to say that the reason for collecting data and ensuring this is done sensitively and carefully is to facilitate analysis, as without good data meaningful analysis is impossible.
