Module 2

Module 2. Data Collection

Intended Learning Outcomes 

At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. Decide when and how to use the sampling techniques.
2. Explain how data are collected.

Discussions 

METHODS OF DRAWING A SAMPLE/ SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

For practical reasons such as to economize on time, money, and effort, it is not
necessary for the researcher to examine every member of the population to get data or
information about the population. Cost and time constraints will prohibit one from undertaking
a study of the entire population. At any rate, all that he needs to do is to draw sample units
systematically or at random. If sampling is done in this way, we can validly infer conclusions
about the entire population from our sample.
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A sampling method is a procedure for selecting sample elements from a population.

I. Random Sampling (unbiased)
- the method of selecting a sample size (n) from a universe (N) such that each member
of the population has an equal chance of being included in the sample and all possible
combinations of size (n) have an equal chance of being selected as the sample.

• prerequisite – total listing of the population

• picking things at random means picking things without bias or any predetermined
choice.
• the most widely-used probability sampling method
• easy to implement and easy to analyze.
An important benefit of simple random sampling is that it allows researchers to use statistical
methods to analyze sample results. For example, given a simple random sample, researchers
can use statistical methods to define a confidence interval around a sample mean. Statistical
analysis is not appropriate when non-random sampling methods are used.

WAYS OF DRAWING A SAMPLE UNIT AT RANDOM

1. Lottery sampling
This procedure is carried out by assigning numbers to each member of the
population.
This can be done by:
• writing the name of each member in the population on pieces of paper.
• Place the papers in a box or container drum.
• Th box or lotter drum must be shaken thoroughly to prevent some pieces of
paper from sinking at the bottom, where they will have less chances of being
drawn.
• From the box or lotter drum, the required number of sample units is picked.

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When a population element can be selected more than one time, we are sampling
with replacement. When a population element can be selected only one time, we are
sampling without replacement.

2. Table of Random Numbers

• A random number is a number determined totally by chance, with no predictable

relationship to any other number.
• A random number table is a list of numbers, composed of the digits 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, and 9. Numbers in the list are arranged so that each digit has no predictable
relationship to the digits that preceded it or to the digits that followed it. In short, the
digits are arranged randomly. The numbers in a random number table are random
numbers.

Restricted Random Sampling

When population is too large to handle, restricted random sampling may be used.
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3. Systematic Sampling
- The process of selecting the sample when units are obtained by
drawing every nth element of the population.

𝑡𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑠 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑝𝑢𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝑛𝑡ℎ =
𝑑𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑠𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑧𝑒

𝑵
𝒏𝒕𝒉 =
𝒏
Steps:
a. Determine the nth value.
b. From the population list. Select a number at random by using your calculator,
or the table of random numbers or by using any other random method. The
number selected will be the first number.
Or let us take 10 pieces of paper and number then 1 to 10. We put
these pieces of paper in box or container and shake them thoroughly. The
pick 1 paper, and the number written will be the starting point or first number.
c. From the starting point, take every nth element in the population list
d. If the end of the list is reached before the desired sample is completed, go
back to the top of the list. Disregard number which have already been
selected.
Ex.
𝑁 = 100; 𝑛 = 10
𝑵 100
𝒏𝒕𝒉 = = = 10𝑡ℎ
𝒏 10
Possible samples if the starting point is 10:
10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100 = 10 samples
Possible samples if the starting point is 7:
7, 17, 27, 37, 47, 57, 67, 77, 87, 97 = 10 samples

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Other Types of Sampling

a. Stratified Sampling
- the population is divided into groups based on homogeneity to avoid the
possibility of drawing samples whose members come from one stratum.
- the distribution of sampling units is proportional to the total number of
units in each stratum. The bigger the population, the more sample units
are drawn, the lesser the population, the less sample units.

Steps:
a. Identify the N and its different strata.
b. Divide the members of the population into percent shares.
c. Multiply each percent share by n sample units to get the actual number of
sample units for each stratum
Formula for percentage allocation:
𝑛
𝑃=
𝑁
Ex.
1. The population consists of all the 300 students of the CKCM enrolled during the
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school year 2012-2013. We need a sample of 133 from the population.

Year level Male Female No. Of

Students
I 66 54 120
II 40 49 89
III 30 27 57
IV 22 12 34
Total 158 142 300

𝑛 133
𝑃= = ≅ 0.44
𝑁 300
Solution:
Year level Male Sample Female Sample No. Of Sample
Students
I 66 29 54 24 120 53
II 40 18 49 22 89 40
III 30 13 27 12 57 25
IV 22 10 12 5 34 15
Total 158 70 142 63 300 133

2. Let us take a population of 50,000 families in Tuguegarao City. Draw 100 sample units
from this population with 10 percent margin of error. There are 25,000 families who
belong to the high-income group, 10,000 families in the middle-income group and
15,000 in the low-income group.

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Strata Number of Population Number of Percent share

Sample units
High-income group 25,000
Middle –income group 10,000
Low-income group 15,000
50,000

3. At a small private college, the students may be classified according to the following
scheme:

Classification Number of Students Sample

Senior 150
Junior 163
Sophomore 195
Freshmen 220
Total 728

If we use proportional allocation to select stratified random sample of size n = 40, how large a
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sample must be taken from each stratum?

Note: The values computed above for each n i are rounded off to the nearest integer.

b. Cluster Sampling
- an area sample because it is frequently applied on a geographical basis
- districts or blocks constitute the cluster.
- this is useful in selecting the sample when heterogeneous groups occupy
blocks in a community or city.

Procedure: Step 1. Divide the population area into heterogeneous sections or clusters.
Step 2. Select randomly a few from these clusters.
Example
At a university, students are classified according to the following scheme:

Housing Number of Students

Campus dormitory 2100
Lodging house 720
Private Residence 3400
Total

Use proportional allocation to determine how many students should be taken from
each classification if we are to select a stratified random sample of size 200.

c. Multi-stage Sampling
- this technique uses several stages or phases in getting the samples from
the general population.

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- this method is useful in conducting a nationwide survey or any survey

involving a large universe.

II. Non- Random Sampling

- It is sampling technique wherein not all members of the population are given
equal chances to be selected at sample.
- The researcher states his prejudice in the choice of the sample.
- This is otherwise known as non-probability sampling.
- It finds its greatest use in fields like market research or in employment
department.

Types of Non-Random Sampling

a. Purposive Sampling
- it is a non-random sampling of choosing samples which is based on a certain
criteria and rules laid down by the researcher.
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Example
Mr. Cruz and his company were hired by a prospective senatorial candidate to study
whether the latter would win the election. They conducted the surveys or interviews in places
where people voted for the winners in the series of previous elections. They did this because
they believed that the people would again vote for the winners in the next election.

b. Quota Sampling
- A non-random sampling in which the researcher limits the number of his
samples based on the required number of the subject under investigation.
Example
You are to investigate the relationship of student’s performance in Math and their
attitude towards the subjects. However, you are only given limited time to do the study. You
may only consider 25 out 500 students in your school.

c. Convenience Sampling
- the researcher conducts a study at his convenient time, preferred place or
venue. He specifies the place and time where he can gather his data.
Example
You are asked by your teacher to conduct a study on how six-year old children acquire
number sense. You may consider your six-year old brother or sister or any six-year old child in
your neighbourhood to have ample time in observing and interviewing your respondents.

Advantages of sampling:
In sampling, only a relatively small number of respondents or experimental units will
be involved; thus, it is better because:
1. it entails lesser cost;
2. it is less time consuming;

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3. it is less cumbersome and more practical to administer; and

4. some experiments are destructive, so it is not possible to involve the whole
population. For example, in the quality sampling of products, if you test or taste the
product, usually it cannot be sold anymore.

Sampling also has disadvantages, the biggest of which is that the sample may not truly
reflect the characteristic of the population and this would lead to wrong conclusions. Hence,
care must be taken in choosing a sample.

Census or complete enumeration

- is a method of data collection from the entire population.

Activity 6:

1. Mrs. Lucas is studying the heights and weights of the students in her class. Which
of the following samples is most likely to be a good representation of the whole
class? Justify your answer.
a. A sample consisting of all athletes in the class.
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b. A sample consisting of all students whose surnames start with D.

c. A sample consisting of students whose names were drawn out of a box
which contained all the names of the students in the class.
d. A sample consisting of students whose birthdays are from January to June.
2. For his report in Social Studies, Dennis wishes to interview a sample of Metro
Manila residents to determine their opinion regarding the economic status of the
country today. Tell whether he could find a sample that reflects the entire population
being studied at
a. a depressed area in Payatas.
b. a shopping mall in Makati.
c. the Starbucks coffee shop.
Justify your answer.
3. A researcher wants to know the average age of teachers in a certain community.
Fifty teachers from the elementary and 25 teachers from the secondary levels were
interviewed for the purpose. How will the researcher choose a sample size of 20
using:
simple random sampling
systematic random sampling
stratified random sampling

METHODS OF COLLECTING DATA

1. Interview Method – is a person-to-person encounter between the one soliciting

information (also known as the interviewer) and the one supplying the information
(also known as the interviewee). It can be conducted in person or through a
telephone conversation.

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Personal interview
Advantages:
a. Questions can be repeated, rephrased, or modified for better understanding.
b. Answers may be clarified, thus ensuring more precise information.
c. Information can be evaluated since the interviewer can observe the reaction of the
interviewee and in the case of personal interviews, the interviewer can observe the
facial expression of the interviewee.

Disadvantages:
a. It is too costly.
b. It can cover only a limited number of individuals in a given period of time.
c. Interviewees may feel pressured for on-the-spot responses.

Telephone interview
Advantages:
a. Permits a greater amount of follow up (through several call backs)
b. Provide better coverage in certain area where personal interviewers are often
reluctant to go.
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Disadvantages:
a. Access to some samples (those without telephones and those whose phones are
unlisted) is not possible
b. Prevent visual observations of respondents
c. Less effective in getting information on sensitive issues or personal questions.
d. Lower response rate than that of personal interview

2. Questionnaire Method
– could be mailed or hand-carried (delivered in person)
- easiest method of data gathering
- it consists of a well-planned questions related to the topic under study.

Advantages:
a. It is less expensive and has a greater scope than the interview method.
b. Respondents have enough time to formulate appropriate responses.
c. Give confidential responses since the respondents can answer questions privately.

Disadvantage:
a. Low return rate.
b. It cannot be accomplished by illiterates, has a high rate of non-response or non-
return and tends to give incomplete information.
c. It takes time to prepare since it may include illustrations, pictures and sketches.

A questionnaire must be?

1. Its contents, especially the directions, must be precise, clear and self-
explanatory

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2. questions must be worded in clear, simple language, providing standard

answer whenever possible
3. pretested, revised and if necessary, retested to make sure it is not faulty.
4. Provided with cross-checks.

3. Observation Method - appropriate in obtaining data pertaining to behavior of an

individual or group of individuals at the time of occurrence of a given situation.
Subjects may be observed individually or collectively.

Limitation:
Observation is made only at the time of occurrence of the appropriate event/s.
Example
a. An observation to investigate the number of students studying in the library
from 1 pm to 5 pm
b. An observation to determine the number of students who got to a mall after
school hours.
c. An observation to find the number of expired food products in a store.
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4. Experimentation Method
– use to find out cause and effect relationships.
- used when the researcher wishes to control the factors affecting the
variable under investigation.
Example
a. A drug company want to test to effectiveness of its new product in treating
influenza. An experiment or clinical test is done by treating fifty persons with
the new product and analyzed statistically using the existing drug. The results
are significantly effective in treating influenza.
b. At the start of the semester, Mrs. Bismonte administered an examination to
two of her classes in order to determine the entry knowledge of the students.
During the semester, she applied cooperative learning approach to one class
and the usual approach to another class. At the end of the semester, she again
administered an examination and compared the results of the two classes so
that she could know if the cooperative learning approach was more effective
than the usual approach.

5. Registration Method
- the respondents give information in compliance with certain laws, policies,
regulations, decrees or standard practices.
Example
Birth certificates
death certificates
real estates
voters application
Marriage license
motor vehicle reg.
Registration of corporation

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From: NSO, ComElec, LTO, SEC

5. Use of existing data (secondary data)

a. from documents (books and magazines, hospital records, public files, registrations,
etc.)
b. from the internet

Activity 7
Identify the appropriate method to be utilized in gathering each of the following:
a. Attitude of students towards Statistics instruction
b. Probable causes of SARS
c. Population growth of a certain province
d. Reasons for killing a person
e. New ways of rice production with greater yield
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