STATISTICS WITH

COMPUTER APPLICATION

Chapter 2: Data Collection

and Sampling
FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN SELECTING
THE METHOD TO COLLECT DATA
The type of data
The time allotment to complete the study
The population under investigation
The researcher’s financial capacity
 METHODS OF DATA
COLLECTION
1. Interview or Direct Method
This is a person-to-person interaction between an interviewer and an
interviewee. Tape or video recorded or written interviews will help the
researcher obtain exact information from the interviewee.
◦ Advantages: Precise and consistent answers can be obtained by
modifying or rephrasing the questions especially to illiterate
respondents or to children under study.
◦ Disadvantages: It is time, money, and effort consuming and it will be
applicable only for small population, except when conducting a census.
2. Survey or Indirect Method
This is an alternative method for the interview method. Written
responses are obtained by distributing questionnaires (a list of
questions intended to elicit answers to a given problem, must be
given in a logical order and not too personal) to the respondents
through mail or hand-carry.
◦ Advantages: Lesser time, money, and efforts are consumed.
◦ Disadvantages: The meaning of the questions may be
different from each respondent. Inconsistent responses can
no longer be modified, thus, it reduces valid number of
respondents.
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
A list of well planned questions written on paper which can be either
personally administered or mailed by the researcher to the respondents
using any of the following forms:
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
A list of well planned questions written on paper which can be either
personally administered or mailed by the researcher to the respondents
using any of the following forms:
3.1 Guided-Response Type
The respondent is guided in making his or her reply.
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3.1 Guided-Response Type
The respondent is guided in making his or her reply.

b.
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3.1 Guided-Response Type
The respondent is guided in making his or her reply.

1.
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3.1 Guided-Response Type
The respondent is guided in making his or her reply.
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3.1 Guided-Response Type
The respondent is guided in making his or her reply.
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
3. QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
4. The Registration Method
This method of gathering information is enforced by certain laws. Data
gathered by this method are as follows: marriage contracts, birth
certificates, motor registrations, license of firearms, registration of
corporations, real estates, votes, etc.
5. The Observation Method
In this method, the investigator observes the behavior of persons or
organizations and their outcomes. The method makes possible the
recording of behavior at the appropriate time and situation.
6. A focus group discussion involves gathering people from similar
backgrounds or experiences together to discuss a specific topic of interest. It
is a form of qualitative research where questions are asked about their
perceptions attitudes, beliefs, opinion or ideas.
7. The Experiment Method
This method is used when the objective is to determine the cause and
effect relationship of certain phenomena under controlled conditions.
8. Test Method
This method is widely used in psychological research and psychiatry.
Standard tests are used because of their validity, reliability, and
usability.
9. Mechanical Devices
The devices that can be used when gathering data
for social and educational researches are the
camera, projector, videotape, tape recorder, etc. In
chemical, biological, and medical researches, the
telescope, barometer, computer, radar machines,
camera, and satellites are commonly used.
SAMPLING……
What is your population of interest?
◦ To whom do you want to generalize your
results?
◦ All teachers
◦ School children
◦ Chinese people
◦ Women aged 15-45 years
◦ Others
Can you sample the entire population?

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SAMPLING…….

3 factors that influence sample

representativeness
◦ Sampling procedure
◦ Sample size
◦ Participation (response)

When might you sample the entire population?

◦ When your population is very small
◦ When you have extensive resources
◦ When you don’t expect a very high response

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SAMPLING BREAKDOWN 25
SAMPLING …….
STUDY POPULATION

SAMPLE

TARGET POPULATION

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sample size
The sample size (n) is an
important feature of any
empirical study in which the
goal is to make inferences
about a population. In
practice, the sample size
used in a study is determined
based on the expense of data
collection, and the need to
have sufficient statistical
power.
 Understanding sample sizes
Population size (N): The total number of people in
the group you are trying to study. If you were
taking a random sample of people across the U.S.,
then your population size would be about 317
million. Similarly, if you are surveying your
company, the size of the population is the total
number of employees.
Margin of error (e): A percentage that tells you how
much you can expect your survey results to reflect
the views of the overall population. The smaller the
margin of error, the closer you are to having the
exact answer at a given confidence level.
 Sampling Techniques
A. Random (Probability) Sampling
In this method, all members of the population have equal chances of
being included in the study. This is applicable if the target population
is not classified into different clusters, sections, levels, or classes.

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1. Lottery Method
It is the most common and the easiest method of random
sampling. The names of the respondents will be written on
small pieces of paper which will be rolled and place in a hat.
The respondents who will be included in the survey will be
those whose names are written on the pieces of paper that are
picked at random from the hat.
2. Systematic Sampling
Select some starting point and then select every kth element in
the population

Example: every 3rd person

3. Stratified Sampling
• This method is applied when the population is divided into
different strata or classes wherein each class must be represented
in the study.
• Subdivide the population into at least two different subgroups
that share the same characteristics, then draw a sample from each
subgroup (or stratum)
4. Cluster Sampling
• When the geographical area where the study will be done is too
big and the target population is too large, the cluster sampling
technique may be appropriate. In this technique, the selection of
sample units is not by individuals but by groups called clusters.
The area will be divided into clusters, then a desired number of
clusters will be selected at random.
• Divide the population area into sections (or clusters); randomly
select some of those clusters; choose all members from selected
clusters
5. Multistage Sampling
Collect data by using some
combination of the basic
sampling methods

In a multistage sample
design, pollsters select a
sample in different stages,
and each stage might use
different methods of
sampling
 Sampling Techniques

B. Non-random (Non-
probability) Sampling
In this method, not all members
of the population are given equal
chances to be chosen. The choice
of the sample is based on varied
reasons. This is also known as
non-probability random sampling
or judgment sampling.

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1. Convenience Sampling
Select any members of the population who are conveniently
and readily available
2. Purposive Sampling
The respondents of the study will
be chosen based on their knowledge
of the information required by the
researcher.

The researchers handpicked the cases to be included in the sample

on the basis of their judgement of the particular characteristics
being sought.

Example:
A group of principals and senior managers of secondary schools is
chosen as the research is studying the incidence of stress among
senior managers.
3. Voluntary Response Sampling
It is defined as a type of sample made up of self-
chosen participants. These participants volunteer to
take part in different research studies to share their
opinions on topics that interest them. A voluntary
response sample is made up
of persons who volunteer to
take research surveys.
4. Snowball Sampling
It is also known as chain-referral
sampling as defined as a non-probability
sampling technique in which the
samples have traits that are rare to find.
This is a sampling technique in which
existing subjects provide referrals to
recruit samples required for a research
study.
This sampling technique can go on and on, just like a snowball increasing in size
(in this case the sample size) till the time a researcher has enough data to
analyze, to draw conclusive results that can help an organization make informed
decisions.
EXERCISES AND TASKS WILL BE GIVEN AS
APPLICATION TO THE TOPICS DISCUSSED