LOCUS IDENTIFICATION

Prepared by: Efren Joshua G. Adamos

Mathematics and Research Teacher, YASC
DATA AND INFORMATION
Data is a body of information or observations that is
provided to a researcher. It is a response or reaction
given to a particular situation. Thus, it is transient. The
reaction of a person to a stimulus may not be the
same in all situations. The response to a question
changes too. Data per se is not meaningful unless it is
analyzed. When data is processed, information is
produced. Information gathered serves as a basis for
decision making.
CLASSIFICATION OF DATA
According to source, data may be classified as
primary or secondary.
Primary data are first-hand information gathered
by the person who needs them. They may be
observations or responses to a query.
CLASSIFICATION OF DATA
Secondary data are second-hand information. They
are taken from observations of others or responses
to queries in researches done earlier.
To illustrate, data gathered by a researcher for the
purpose of a study are primary data. Data taken from
reports of others are secondary data.
DATA MEASUREMENT
Data in quantitative researches should be measurable.
Measurement is not limited he to the use of rulers or
other similar instruments. It may take the form of
scales used to measure a behavior, or an instrument
that assesses the awareness of people towards a
particular product. It sets the limit on the data to be
collected. If a scale of 1 to 10 is used, then the
response should be a number within that range. Data
collected are tested statistically in comparison with
statistical norms.
DATA MEASUREMENT SCALES
There are four data measurement scales:
1. nominal scale
2. ordinal scale
3. interval scale
4. ratio scale
The scales are also known as types of data. The type
of data used determines the statistical tool to be used
to process the data set.
DATA MEASUREMENT SCALES
Nominal scale is one where specific values are
assigned to a particular group. The values assigned
have no significant value, and is used just for labeling
purposes only. To illustrate, if the students in grade 11
of a particular school are to be used as respondents,
the students may be divided into two groups: male
and female. The male group may be assigned
arbitrarily the number 1, and the female group the
number 2. These numbers are assigned just to
differentiate one from the other.
DATA MEASUREMENT SCALES
Another example, if respondents are grouped
according to employment status, the number 1 may
be assigned to students, 2 for employees, 3 for
employer, and 4 for retirees. The numbers assigned
have no bearing to the discussion, and are assigned
simply to separate one group from the other.
Nominal scale is the lowest level of data
measurement.
DATA MEASUREMENT SCALES
Ordinal scale is the next level of data measurement.
It is differentiate from the nominal scale in that the
numbers obtained provide the rank or order of the
values. If birth order is the characteristic under study,
we may assign a value of 1 to first-born, 2 to middle-
child, and 3 to youngest child. From the numbers
assigned, the order is clear.
DATA MEASUREMENT SCALES
Interval scale is a scale where intervals are
consistent but it does not have a true zero point. If a
scale of 1 to 8 is used, with 1 as the least frequent
and 8 as the most frequent, we noticed that the
interval is consistently 1. However, we notice that the
number 0 is not used to mean absence of frequency.
Most survey instruments use interval scale, with
some researchers preferring a scale of 1 to 10 to
allow flexibility of responses.
DATA MEASUREMENT SCALES
Ratio scale is similar to the interval scale, except for
the presence of an absolute zero point which means
absence of whatever is being measured. It expresses
values in terms of multiples or fractional parts. This,
together with the interval scale, be-longs to the
highest level of data measurement.
LOCUS OF DATA
As we prepare for data collection, it is important that
we know what data is needed, where they are
located, and how to gather them. The type of data
needed is usually dependent on the objective of the
study. Is our concern the effect of an intervention?
How do we measure the effect? Are we going to
make observations or experimentation? Or are we
going to rely on the answers of the respondents?
LOCUS OF DATA
The locus of the research is the place where data is
to be gathered. If the purpose is to make an
observation of a phenomenon, then we must know
where the subjects are. If we want to make a
comparison of the responses across strata, then we
define the cities or municipalities where the study is
to be conducted.
LOCUS OF DATA
After defining the type of data needed and the locus
of the study, we should consider how data are to be
gathered. Are we going to interview people? Are we
going to gather data from organizations? Or are we
going to get the responses through questionnaire?
LOCUS OF DATA
In a quantitative research, it is common practice to
gather data through instruments. The instrument may
have existed, such as a thermometer used to measure
body temperature, a test to measure personality, or
an instrument developed by another researcher for a
related study. It may be researcher-developed to
measure specific characteristics, such as the attitude
of consumers toward a particular brand of orange
juice.
LOCUS OF DATA
In the data gathering process, the people who are the
subject of the study are the respondents. Care must
be taken in choosing respondents to ensure that the
respondents are representative of the target
population.
DONE.
-Sir Efren ☺

Inquiries, Investigations, and Immersion

First Semester AY 2019-2020