Interpretation involves probing the data for their meaning within the context of the inquiry and inquiry question. Although there is a heavy emphasis on interpretation of data in qualitative research, it also is an essential part of quantitative research.

Interpreting the data involves going beyond your analyses and syntheses to ask the "So What" question. Here is where you come back to your overall inquiry question to provide answers that matter to your CLIP members and others.

It is important to recognize the difference between observable facts and the opinions expressed by those who provided data to making interpretations of the data. Different people are likely to see the data differently. This is where the conversation among the CLIP members and the involvement of others in making sense of the data becomes especially important. It is also important to communicate that there are different ways of understanding the data.