10

Module 2
Collection of Data
Introduction

Any statistical investigation must necessarily be based on

accurate data and in order to ensure the accuracy of data,
one must know the right sources and methods of collecting
them.
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
Objectives:
1. Differentiate sample from population.
2. Compare the different methods of data collection.
3. Enumerate and differentiate the different types
probability sampling methods.

of

Types of Data
There are 2 types of data primary and secondary data.
Primary data refer to information which are gathered
directly from an original source or which are based on
direct or first hand experience. Secondary data on the
other hand refer to information which are taken from
published or unpublished data which were previously
gathered by other individuals or groups.
Methods of Collecting Data

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There are several methods of collecting data and these are:

1. The Interview method. This is a method where there is a
person-to-person contact or exchange of information
between the interviewer and the interviewee. This method
provides consistent and more precise information since
clarification may be given by the interviewee. The questions
may be repeated or modified such that questions asked are
understandable to the level of understanding of the
interviewee. However, this method is time-consuming,
expensive and has a limited field coverage.
2. The Questionnaire method. The researcher uses a
prepared set of questions and information are solicited from
the respondents by means of written responses based on
the list of questions which are relevant to the problems of
the study. Questionnaires may be mailed or hand-carried.
This method is inexpensive and can cover a wide area in a
shorter period of time. However, there is a high possibility
that the respondents may not answer some of the questions
or they may not return the questionnaire, especially if it is
mailed.
3. The Registration method. This method of gathering
information is enforced by certain laws such as registration
of births, deaths, motor vehicles, marriages and licenses.
The advantage of this method is that information is kept
systematized and made available to all because of the
requirement of the law.
4. The Observation method. In this method the researcher
observes the behavior of persons or organizations and their
outcomes. The researcher can employ either the participant
observation method where the researcher is included in the
group. Or he can employ the non-participant observation
method where the researcher is outside of the group and
not noticed by the subject.
5. The Experiment method. This method is used when the
objective is to determine the cause and effect relationship
of certain phenomena under controlled conditions. It is
usually used in laboratory experiments or field experiments.

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In the conduct of any research investigation, the researcher

is not concerned with collecting a great mass of data because
sometimes it is impossible or impractical to observe the entire set
of observations (called population), but rather to observe only a
small fraction (called samples) of the population.

Population and Sample

In Statistics, population refers to the set of all observations
made on all objects under study for a given characteristics of
interest or variable. The number of observations in a given
population is referred to as the size of the population and is
designated as N. a population may be so large that it may be
impossible or impractical for the researcher to study all its
elements. In such a case, the study of a sample from the given
population would be more appropriate.
A sample is a subset of the population. It is any subgroup of
observations drawn from the population by some appropriate
method so that the characteristics of the population can be
estimated. The number of observations in a given sample is
termed as sample size, and is designated by n.
To compute for the sample size, different statistical formulas
can be used. One formula popularly used in computing for the
sample size, n, is
n

N
1 Ne 2

where
N = the population size,
n = the sample size, and
e = the marginal error (1%, 5% or 10%)
Example: Given a population size, N, of 5,000, the sample size, n,
is
3333 at 1% marginal error,

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370 at 5% marginal error, and

98 at 10% marginal error.
If our inferences from the sample to the population are to be
valid, then we must obtain samples that are representative of the
population. Samples which are not representative of the
population will often result to bias and to eliminate any
possibility of a bias, then it is desirable that our samples must be
a random sample. Likewise, there other reasons why we random
samples instead of a population such as:
1.
3.
4.
6

Reduced cost.
2. Greater speed.
Greater efficiency and accuracy.
Greater scope.
5. Convenience.
Necessity.
7. Ethics.

Sampling Methods
Sampling is the process of choosing a sample. As a rule, a
representative or sample should be obtained in such a manner
that the characteristics and variations of the population being
sampled are reflected.
Basically, there are two broad
classifications of sampling, namely, probability sampling and nonprobability sampling.
Two broad classifications of sampling:
1. Non-probability sampling
In non-probability sampling, the element of the population is
taken depending to a large extent on the personal feelings of the
researcher or purpose and without regard for some chance
mechanism for choosing an element. Some common types of
non-probability sampling are:
a. The samples are selected haphazardly.
b. The samples are restricted to a part of the population that is
readily accessible.

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c. The samples essentially consist of volunteers, in studies

wherein the measuring process is unpleasant to the person
being measured.
d. The samples are arbitrarily selected because there is a
good evidence that it is very representative of the total
population.

2. Probability sampling
In probability sampling, every element belonging to the
population has a known and non-zero probability of being
included in the sample. Only probability sampling allows us to
calculate sampling errors, and therefore permits us to judge the
goodness of our sample statistics.
Types of Probability Sampling:
1. Simple random sampling is a sampling method in which all
members of the population have an equal chance of being
included in the sample.
2. Systematic sampling - Suppose the elements of a population
of size N are numbered from 1 to N in some order: consider
taking a sample of size n such that N/n = k. A systematic sample
consists of an element selected randomly from the first k
elements and every kth subsequent element.
3. Stratified random sampling - If the population of size N is
subdivided into non-overlapping subpopulations of sizes N1, N 2,
, NL respectively, such that N1 + N2 + + NL = N1, then
samples of sizes n1, n2, , nL drawn independently from one
subpopulation to another is a stratified sample of size n = n1 +
n 2 + + n L.
The subpopulations are called strata, and the procedure of
grouping is known as stratification.
Depending on the size of the sample taken from the strata,
stratified sampling can be categorized into:

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a. Equal allocation - In stratified sampling, if equalsized samples are drawn from each stratum, we have
equal allocation, i.e. n1 = n2 = = nL.
b. Proportional allocation - In stratified sampling,
when the stratum sample sizes n 1, n2, , nL are
proportional to the respective stratum subpopulation
sizes N1, N2, , NL, then we have proportional
allocation, i.e.
n1 = N1 , n2 = N2 , , nL = NL
n
N
n
N
n
N
Stratified samples may be drawn in different manners.
a. If samples are drawn using simple random sampling in each
stratum, the procedure is called stratified random sampling.
b. If samples are drawn using systematic sampling in each
stratum, the procedure is called stratified systematic sampling.
4. Cluster sampling - A cluster sample is a sample of groups
from our sampling frame wherein information is obtained
from all individual units contained in the groups selected.
Such groups are called clusters.
5. Multi-stage sampling - Sampling may also be done at
several stages or hierarchical classifications and this is
referred to as multi-stage sampling.

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Activity
1. Given the following population data on the number of
schools
located in 30 municipalities:
Mun. No.
10
No. of Schools
8

10

Mun. No.
20
No. of schools
11

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19

Mun. No.
30
No. of schools
6

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

12 7

3
6

4
7

5
8

6
5

7
6

16

15
29
9

2. A big University has a total of 375 faculty members. Of

these,
110 are doctoral degree holders, 130 are masteral
degree
holders and the rest are bachelor degree holders.
a. Determine the appropriate sample size. Use a 5%
marginal error.
b. Apply stratified sampling using proportional