Computer technology

D.A. Asir John Samuel, BSc (Psy), MPT (Neuro Paed), MAc, DYScEd, C/BLS, FAGE

Lecturer, Alva’s college of Physiotherapy, Moodbidri

Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP

Introduction to computers

Generations Components used

First (1945-60) Valves

Second (1960-65) Transistor

Third (1965-70) Integrated Chips (IC)

Fourth (1970-till now) Microprocessor

Fifth (developing

stage……)

High Electron Mobility

Transistor Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP

Computer application in research

• Model processing

• Sample size calculation

• Managing missing data

• Performing computations

• In estimating accurate p-value

• Data analysis and interpretation

Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP

Computer application in research

Software Packages

• SPSS – Statistical Package for Social Sciences

• SAS – Statistical Analysis Software

• Medcalc – Medical calculation

Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP

Computer and Researcher

• Performing calculation at the speed of light

• Data analysis concerning large research projects

• Huge storage of data

• Faster retrieval

• Added quality to research activity

• Trial and error process frequently employed Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP

Computer and Researcher

• Can easily calculate computation of means,

SD, correlation coefficients, ‘t’ tests, analysis

of variance, multiple regression and various

nonparametric analyses

• Multivariate analysis can be computed

• Only work of researcher is to feed in the data

Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP

Computer and Researcher

• Facilitate research work

• Innumerable data can be processed and

analyzed with greater ease and speed

• Results obtained are accurate and reliable

• Pictorial graphing and reporting

Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP

Computer and Researcher

• Data organisation and coding

• Storing the data

• Selection of appropriate statistical

measures/techniques

• Selection of appropriate software package

• Execution of the computer program

Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP

Limitation of computer-based analysis

• Requires expensive computerised analysis

setting, collection and feeding of data (GAITRE)

• Not economical in case of small projects

• Various small details which are not fed into

computers may get lost

• Does not think only execute

• “Garbage in, garbage out” Dr.Asir John Samuel (PT), Lecturer, ACP