Ass. Prof. Ph. D. L.

Marcu, 2019-2020

Chapter 2. Collecting Statistical Data

1. The Stages of Statistical Research

Statistical research = process of knowledge of mass phenomena, conducted using

statistical methods, starting with identification and registration of individual cases and passing
through centralization, processing and generalization in order to determine the statistical
indicators enabling statistical knowledge of the population studied. .
Therefore, statistical research includes 3 stages:
- Statistical observation = process of collecting data;
- Processing of statistical data = determination of indicators and testing of hypotheses;
- Analysis and interpretation of statistical data.

2. The Steps followed in a Statistical Observation

- Establishing the purpose of observation;

- Boundary (in time and space, and volume) of the population will be observed;
- Establishing the observation unit;
- Establishing the plan of observation: data collection methods, the time when collecting
data, the time when referred to data collected:

 Place of observation = place where data are collected.

 Data collection mode can be: statistical reporting, query directly, sending
questionnaires by mail, telephone survey, etc.
 Observation time = time (period, moment) at which the data refer.
 Critical moment (milestone) = time for which data will be collected.
 Collecting time = time (period) when making the data collection.
Ex.: if the 2002 census, the critical moment was the time „0” of the night of 17/18 March
2002 and data recording was made during the period 18 March – 3 April 2002. All data refers
to the critical moment. Any change after the critical moment (birth, death) was not recorded. A
child born on March 19 and found in the family when the reviewer visit it is not registered
because at the critical moment did not exist.
In order to not affect the research result, the moment of collecting data should be as close
the production of phenomenon. If the time elapsed between the production of phenomenon and
its registration is too long, there is a danger of distorting information (ex. interviewing
individuals on the structure of expenditures). On the other side, too short time for data collection
may lead to superficial records.

- Creating forms and instructions for filling them. Forms must be typed (ex. sheet, list,
questionnaire). Instructions for completing the forms (also called „methodological
norms”) are designed to ensure a uniform filling of statistical forms, without
interpretation.

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 Ass. Prof. Ph. D. L. Marcu, 2019-2020

3. Methods of Statistical Observation

A. By the organization of observation:

- Permanent observations: runs continuously recording levels reached by the variable
studied throughout the period they occur (ex. the annual number of school’ graduates,
reports on the financial and accounting etc.).
- Observations specially organized: done only when it is considered necessary to know the
level reached by a certain variable or when a specific event occurs (ex. number of visitors
to a fair/festival).

B. By the phenomenon description:

- Static observation: are used to collect data of statistical populations defined, at a certain
moment, in volume and structure (ex. census, inventory, etc.).
- Dynamic observation: follow the time evolution of a phenomenon, which involves the
time at which the data refer (observation time) and periodicity of data collection (ex. the
monthly number of unemployed in the period....., number of employees ....)

C. By the time of registration:

- Current observation: realized as the phenomenon occurs;
- Regular observation: takes place at certain preset time;
- Unique observation: occurs only when needed, without having a certain degree of
repeatability.

4. Types of Statistical Observation

A. Statistical Report

Statistical reports are total observation with current character. There are official and
prepared for all units that are part of an informational system.
In Romania, the statistical informational system is institutionalized and refers to the
National Statistics Institute (INS), which through its central and territorial offices constituted a
unified national statistical system, capable to provide information for decision making at the
macroeconomic level.

B. Census

The census is one of the oldest forms of statistical observation, being practiced from
antiquity to determine the population size and wealth.
Census is a form of statistical research very complex and also representative; through it
we obtain complete and accurate data on the phenomenon investigated.
The best known is the population census, but there are other types of census: census of
animals and land (agricultural census), buildings census, private entrepreneurs census, etc.
Definition: The census is a statistical observation total, official, specially made, with
periodic character, which involves photographing the phenomenon studied at a time (critical
moment), data collection being made after that moment by reviewers sent to the place where
phenomenon occurred.

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 Ass. Prof. Ph. D. L. Marcu, 2019-2020

Census characteristics:
- It is a total research;
- Is an official observation because it occurs when state authority deems it necessary; it is
funded by the state and is based on an official document (Government Decision,
presidential decree, law of organization etc.);
- Takes place at big intervals of time because requires mobilization of material resources,
human and financial resources;
- its results should insure the information needed in the macroeconomic decision making;
- is periodic (ex. 10 years for population census). Periodicity ensures comparability of
data.
- Make a picture phenomenon at a time (critical moment). Therefore, it is necessary to
choose this moment when the phenomenon has a fluctuation minimum (ex. If population
census, the minimal mobility is in winter).
- Data collection is done by people going to the place where the phenomenon produced
(ex. households) who are called “census takers”1. The census taker is the person who
made the recording, encoding and centralising of data on individuals, buildings, homes in
a census sector defined.
- Census simultaneity: the data collection is made simultaneously across the country.

C. Selective research

Selective research (also called statistical survey) it is a method of partial observation

organized when the total observation is not possible or when this observation is not justified
economically.
Selective research is made on sub-populations representative of the entire population (and
called samples), so the results can be extended to the entire population.
In order to have a representative sample, the units must be selected under the following
conditions:
- Each unit of the population have an equal probability and different from 0 to be in the
sample;
- A unit enters the sample independent of presence/absence of other units in the sample;
- The sample size is sufficiently large to include all qualitative types that meet the
population.

D. Statistical monograph
It is a partial observation who can characterize in a complex manner a statistical unit.
It provides economic, social, historical, administrative data.

1
In Romanian = recenzori.

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 Ass. Prof. Ph. D. L. Marcu, 2019-2020

5. Observation errors

One of the conditions that must be fulfilled by statistical data is the correctness so it
reflects the real phenomena and processes observed. In practice, there are sometimes differences
more or less significant between real data and recorded data. These differences are called errors.
Errors are the results of omissions in recording the variable of some units of population,
incorrect transcription of data as result of misunderstood instructions or differences between real
data and recorded data.
Errors could be random or systematic:
a) Random errors of registration are errors that acts both ways and does not affect the
research results.
The causes of these errors include:
- Lack of attention when collecting data;
- Misunderstanding of the message transmitted by the responder;
- Omission of registration of some values of variable or even the variable entirely;
- Wrong answer of the interviewee.
b) Systematic errors of registration are errors that acts in the same way and influence the
final outcome of the research. .
The causes of these errors could be:
- Ambiguities methodological;
- Questions whose content is not understood by the respondent;
- The lack of responses;
- Questions whose answers were suggested by the interviewer (and shows the lack of
professional ethics).

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 Ass. Prof. Ph. D. L. Marcu, 2019-2020

Worksheet no. 2.1. Study guide individual/group

1. Make a graphic representation of the main stages of a statistical research.

2. Indentify 4 main features of a census and explain them.

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 Ass. Prof. Ph. D. L. Marcu, 2019-2020

3. What is the main difference between census and selective research?

4. What characterizes a selective research?

5. What are the most dangerous errors to affect the results of a statistical research: random
errors or systematic errors? Explain your answer.