Module 1 Part 2

Methods of Data Collection

and Presentation

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Learning Outcomes:
1. Discuss the different methods
of data collection
2. Identify and explain the
different ways of presenting
and organizing data
3. Collect data using the
appropriate data collection
methods and present the data
in the most appropriate form

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 What is data collection?
> In Statistics, the data collection is a process of
gathering information from all the relevant
sources to find a solution to the research
problem.

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Data collection methods
1. Observation Method
2. Interview Method
3. Survey Method
4. Experimentation Method
5. Registration Method
 OBSERVATION METHOD

Observation method is used when the study relates to

behavioral science or natural science. This method is planned
systematically. It subjects many controls and checks. The
different types of observations are:
• Structured and unstructured observation
• Controlled and uncontrolled observation
• Participant, non-participant and disguised observation

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 OBSERVATION METHOD
Structured observation: In this approach data are collected
systematically in order to describe behaviours accurately and
reliably. The observer follows written instructions from a structured
observational schedule, which is developed from predetermined and
defined categories prior to data collection.
Unstructured observation: This approach is best used to look at a
single situation, for example, examining the experiences of elderly
people admitted to care. In this situation the researcher will take
numerous field notes, and may use tape or video recording. There is a
predetermined schedule of events or activities.

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 OBSERVATION METHOD
Controlled observation is a research method where
researchers watch participants in a contained environment,
such as a laboratory. In a controlled study, the researcher pre-
determines and controls the study variables and determines the
location, the time, the participants, and the tools used to
complete the study.
Uncontrolled observation takes place in natural setting
without the influence of external or outside control. The
observer does not plan in advance but this is related to day-to-
day happenings and socio-cultural problems. It studies some of
our life situations.

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 OBSERVATION METHOD
Participant observation is the process that enables researchers to learn
about the activities of the people they are studying in the natural setting,
through observing and participating in those activities.
Non-participant observation is a research technique in which the
researcher takes up the role of a mere observer.
Disguised Observation is a technique employed, often in product testing,
where a respondent or groups of respondents are unaware that they
are being observed.
In disguised participant observation, the researchers pretend to be
members of the social group they are observing and conceal their
true identity as researchers. ... Further, disguised participant observation
is less prone to reactivity than undisguised participant observation.
.
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 INTERVIEW METHOD

An interview is essentially a structured conversation

where one participant asks questions, and the other
provides answers. In common parlance, the word
"interview" refers to a one-on-one conversation between
an interviewer and an interviewee.

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 INTERVIEW METHOD

• Personal Interview – In this method, a person known as an

interviewer is required to ask questions face to face to the other
person. The personal interview can be structured or
unstructured, direct investigation, focused conversation etc.
• Telephone Interview – In this method, an interviewer obtains
information by contacting people on the telephone to ask the
questions or views orally.

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 SURVEY METHOD

A survey is a research method used for collecting

data from a predefined group of respondents to
gain information and insights into various topics of
interest. The process involves asking people for
information through a questionnaire, which can be
either online or offline.

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 SURVEY METHOD

> Census. A census is a study that obtains data from every

member of a population. In most studies, a census is not
practical, because of the cost and/or time required.
> Sample survey. A sample survey is a study that obtains data
from a subset of a population, in order to estimate population
attributes.
.

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 EXPERIMENTAL METHOD
> An experiment is a controlled study in which the researcher
attempts to understand cause-and-effect relationships. The study is
"controlled" in the sense that the researcher controls (1) how
subjects are assigned to groups and (2) which treatments each
group receives.
> In the analysis phase, the researcher compares group scores on
some dependent variable. Based on the analysis, the researcher
draws a conclusion about whether the treatment (independent
variable) had a causal effect on the dependent variable.
.
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 REGISTRATION METHOD
> Registration method refers to continuous,
permanent, compulsory recording of the
occurrence of vital events together with certain
identifying or descriptive characteristics concerning
them, as provided through the civil code, laws or
regulations of each country.

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 SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION METHODS
> Secondary data are data collected by someone other than the actual user. It means that the
information is already available, and someone analyses it. The secondary data includes magazines,
newspapers, books, journals etc. It may be either published data or unpublished data.
> Published data are available in various resources including
• Government publications
• Public records
• Historical and statistical documents
• Business documents
• Technical and trade journals
> Unpublished data includes
• Diaries
• Letters
• Unpublished biographies etc.

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Data presentation methods
1. Textual Method
2. Tabular Method
3. Graphical Method
 Textual Method
> Text is the main method of conveying information as it is used
to explain results and trends, and provide contextual information. Data
are fundamentally presented in paragraphs or sentences. Text can be
used to provide interpretation or emphasize certain data. If quantitative
information to be conveyed consists of one or two numbers, it is more
appropriate to use written language than tables or graphs.

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 Textual Method
Sample Textual Presentation
In 1999, out of a total of five thousand workers of
a factory, four thousand and two hundred were members
of a Trade Union. The number of female workers was
twenty per cent of the total workers out of which thirty
per cent were members of the Trade Union.
In 2000, the number of workers belonging to the
trade union was increased by twenty per cent as
compared to 1999 of which four thousand and two
hundred were male.

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 Tabular Method
> In a tabular presentation, data are arranged
in columns and rows, and the positioning of data
makes comprehension and understanding of data
more accessible. Tables are the most appropriate for
presenting individual information, and can present
both quantitative and qualitative information.

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 Tabular Method
Sample Tabular Presentation

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 Graphical Method
> Graphical representation refers to the use of
charts and graphs to visually display, analyze,
clarify, and interpret numerical data, functions,
and other qualitative structures.

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 Bar Graph
A bar graph or chart is a way to represent data by
rectangular column or bar. The heights or length of the
bar is proportional to the values.

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 Line Graph
> A line graph is a type of graph where the information or data is plotted as
some dots which are known as markers and then they are added to each
other by a straight line.
> The line graph is normally used to represent the data that changes over
time.

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 Histogram
> A histogram graph is a graph where the information is represented along
with the height of the rectangular bar. Though it does look like a bar
graph, there is a fundamental difference between them. With the
histogram, each column represents a range of quantitative data when a
bar graph represents categorical variables.

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 Pie Chart
> The other name of the pie chart is a circle graph. It is a
circular chart where numerical information represents as
slices or in fractional form or percentage where the whole
circle is 100%.

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 Stem and Leaf Plot
> The stem and leaf plot is a way to represents quantitative data
according to frequency ranges or frequency distribution.
> In the stem and leaf plot, each data is split into stem and leaf,
which is 32 will be split into 3 stems and 2 leaves.

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 Box and Whisker’s Plot
> A summary consists of five values: the most extreme values in the
data set (the maximum and minimum values), the lower and upper
quartiles, and the median. These values are presented together
and ordered from lowest to highest: minimum value, lower quartile
(Q1), median value (Q2), upper quartile (Q3), maximum value.

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 Scatter Diagram
> Scatter diagram or scatter plot is a way of graphical
representation by using cartesian coordinates of two variables.
The plot shows the relationship between two variables.

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Interpretation of scatter Plots

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End of module 1
Part 2
Has anyone a question?

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