GuideData & AI
Writing a data analysis plan
By Inara Crest Engineering 1 min read
Decide questions, variables, methods and outputs before data arrives, and analysis becomes faster and more credible.
An analysis plan written before data collection keeps the analysis focused and protects against cherry-picking results.
1. Restate the questions
List the research or business questions the analysis must answer.
2. Define variables
For each question, list the variables, how they are measured and any derived indicators.
3. Choose methods
Describe the analysis for each question — summaries, comparisons, regressions — and how significance or uncertainty will be reported.
4. Plan for data issues
State how missing data, outliers and small groups will be handled.
5. Specify outputs
Draft table and chart shells so stakeholders agree on outputs early.
6. Note limitations
Record known limitations of the data and design.
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About the author
Inara Crest Engineering
Engineering team
Written by the Inara Crest Technologies engineering team, who design, install and support software, network, security, power and data centre systems for organisations in Kenya and East Africa.