ICTE 1043 and 1063
Statistical Analysis with Software Application
Week 2
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:
1. Classify data and its sources.
2. Discuss the different methods used to collect data.
Data Collection
❑ Data collection is the first
stage in any statistical
investigation. It is the
process of obtaining
(gathering) a set of related
measurements or counts to
meet predetermined objectives.
Data Collection Methods
Before the actual data collection, four important points should be
considered.
1. The purpose of data collection (why we need to collect data),
2. The kind of data to be collected (what type of data to be collected),
3. The source of data (where we can get the data), and
4. The methods of data collection (how can we collect this data).
Once these questions are answered, it becomes necessary to collect the
information needed. This information can be collected directly or
indirectly.
Data Sources
Primary Secondary
Data Collection Data Compilation
Observation Survey Print or Electronic
Experimentation
Types of Data
The statistical data may be classified into two categories depending upon the sources
utilized. These categories are primary and secondary data.
Primary Data – data which is collected by the investigator himself for the purpose
of a specific inquiry or study. These data are those collected for the first time
(original/first-hand data) either through surveys or direct observation.
Examples:
▪ Data on banking and finance collected by the Central Bank
▪ Data on opinions and sentiments of people on current issues collected by the
Pulse Asia.
Types of Data
Secondary Data – data which has been collected by others and used by an investigator
for his own purposes. Such data can be obtained from journals, official reports,
government publications, publications of professional and research organizations and
so on.
Examples:
▪ Documented data used by a medical researcher for his research which was
originally collected or published by the Department of Health.
▪ Data published from Business journals
Types of Data
Remember!
Secondary data should be used with utmost care. So before using this data, the following three
points should be considered.
1. Whether the data are suitable for the purpose of investigation. This can be judged in the light
of the nature and scope of investigation.
2. If the data obtained is suitable for our purpose it should be assessed whether the data are
adequate for the purpose of investigation. This can be determined based on the time period and
geographical area covered by the data.
3. Whether the data are reliable. The data obtained should be checked for its accuracy. If the data
are based on a sample, one should see whether the sample is a representative of the population.
Existing Sources
Examples of Data Available from Internal Company Records
1. Employee Records – name, address, SSS salary, number of vacation and sick days
2. Production Records – product number, quantity produced, direct labor and material
cost
3. Inventory Records – product number, number of units on hand, reorder level
4. Sales Records – product number, sales volume by category (region and customer
type)
5. Credit Records – name, phone number, credit limit, accounts receivable balance
6. Customer Profile – age, gender, income level, household size, source of income
Existing Sources
Examples of organizations that specialize in collecting and maintaining data
1. Dun & Bradstreet
Existing Sources
Examples of organizations that specialize in collecting and maintaining data
2. Bloomberg
Existing Sources
Examples of organizations that specialize in collecting and maintaining data
3. Dow Jones
& Company
Existing Sources
Examples of organizations that specialize in collecting and maintaining data
3. PSA
Data Collection Methods
The most commonly used methods of data collection are the following:
Data Collection Methods
▪ Survey Method – a data collection technique in which information is collected directly
or indirectly from certain individuals.
The most common methods of data collection for survey are self-administered
questionnaire and personal interview.
▪ Questionnaire Method – a data collection method in which respondents are
given prepared questionnaires with a series of questions to answer and is used to
record the responses.
▪ Interview Method – this method involves a face-to-face interaction between the
interviewer and the interviewee. Apart from face-to-face interviews, it can also be
conducted over the phone or the computer terminal via video conferencing technology.
Data Collection Methods
▪ Observation Method - this method involves collecting information without
asking questions. It is used when the study relates to behavioral science This method
is more subjective, as it requires the researcher (or observer) to add their
judgement to the data.
▪ Experiment Method – this method is used if the researcher would like to determine
the cause and effect relationship of certain phenomena under investigation. It is also
used in making scientific inquiry
▪ Document Review Method - a method of utilizing the existing data or fact or information
for a study.
