Collection of data

Types of data

Based on their source, statistical data are classified under

two categories.

1) Primary data

2) secondary data

primary data:

• are data collected primarily for a purpose of a given

inquiry

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved. 16-2

Cont.d

• are data obtained by a study specifically designed to full

fill the problem of the data need at hand

• are original in character

Secondary data

• Data, which are not originally collected but rather

obtained from published or unpublished sources

• Data, which are primary in the hands of one, become

secondary in the hands of another. 16-3
Cont.d
• Data are primary for the individual agency collecting
them and secondary for the rest of the world

Advantages of Primary data

• secondary data may contain errors in copying

• Primary sources show data in greater detail

Advantage of secondary data

• It is highly convenient

• It is much quicker to obtain than primary data

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Methods of collecting data
 The following are some, but not all, of the data
collection methods

• Direct personal interview: there is face-to-face contact

with informants/respondents

• Indirect interviews: there will be an intermediate or

witness who collects data from the informant and deliver
it to the main co-editor

• Telephone interview – using the telephone, the

researcher can access every one who have telephone 16-5
Cont.d

• Information from correspondence – document review

• Mailed questionnaire - a list of questions properly

selected and arranged are sent for the informants

• Web-based questionnaire – internet based research

where questionnaire is sent via e-mail

• Observation method – the data collector takes time to

record observations

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Cont.d

 Note: different data collection methods are used for

different types of research, where various factors affect
the selection of an appropriate method.

 Time, cost, the type of data required are some factors

For example:

 Quantitative data may best collected by distributing

questionnaires and

 Qualitative data – by in-depth interview

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Census and sampling methods
 Census method is a complete enumeration method of
studying about population.

• Data are collected for every unit or member of the

population

 Sampling method: it is the process of learning about the

population on the bases of a sample drawn from it.

• A part of sample of a universe is studied and the

conclusions are drawn on the bases of the findings for

the entire universe. 16-8

Cont.d
Advantage of census method

• data are obtained for every unit of the population

• results are more accurate, more representative and

reliable

• it can be used as a bases for various surveying

Disadvantage of census method

• A considerable effort is needed

• More money or resources is needed 16-9

Cont.d

• It is time consuming

• It is impossible if the evaluation method destroys

the population unit.

Advantage of sampling

• reduced cost

• greater speed

• It is not ideal, applicable

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Cont.d

Disadvantages of sampling

• Selection and adoption of sampling plan require more

time and effort in planning and documentation

• Sample may not be representative leading to wrong

inference

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved. 16-11

Methods of sampling

Probability sampling:

• It is method by which every unit in the population has a

known probability or chance of being included (chosen)
for the sample

• It is an objective method

• Does not depend on person conducting the investigation

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Cont.d

Non-probability sampling:

• Are methods in which not every unit in the populations

has a known chance of being chosen in the sample

• It is a subjective method

• Depends on personal judgement of the data collector

Copyright © 2006 Pearson Addison-Wesley. All rights reserved. 16-13

Types of probability sampling
• Simple random sampling - it is the way of selecting the
sample randomly

• Stratified sampling - population is divided into different

subgroups or strata, then the final subjects are
randomly selected from the different strata in a
proportionate way. Eg. Stratified random sampling

• Systematic Sampling - selecting randomly the first item

and picking the n’th subject from the list
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Cont.d

• cluster sampling (multistage sampling)

- it is done when simple random sampling is impossible
because of the size of the population

- the researcher first identifies boundaries

- then randomly selects a number of identified areas

- then he can either take all individuals in the selected

areas or select random subjects from the identified
areas
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Types of Non-probability sampling

• Judgmental sampling - the data collector uses his/her

judgment to take the sample

- It is also known as purposive sampling

• Convenience sampling – samples are selected because

of their accessibility for the researcher

- It is the most common and easiest of all sampling

techniques

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Cont.d
• Quota sampling - the researcher takes equal or
proportionate representation of subjects depending on
the traits that are selected as the basis of quota

- example if the basis of quota is college year level and

if the sample size is to be 100, then the researcher may
select 25 students from first year, 25 students from
second year, 25 students from third year and 25
students from fourth year

- bases of quota include: age, gender, education.... 16-17

Thank you!