GEM 804 – Advanced Engineering Statistics

Methods of Collecting Data

Data is a plural form of the Latin noun “datum” meaning
“something given”. These are collected facts or
information from which conclusions can be drawn.
 2 TYPES OF DATA COLLECTED :

Quantitative Data
Data that is expressed in numbers and summarized using
statistics to give meaningful information.
Qualitative Data
Data use for description without measurements.
 Methods of Collecting Data
1.Census
2.Sample Survey
3.Experiment
4.Observational
Study
1.CENSUS

- study that obtains data from

every member of a
population.
- can be very expensive and
time-consuming, if the
population is large.
 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Advantages : Disadvantages :

• Accurate •Can cost time and money

• Complete information •Data may become out-of-date
once it is collected
•Sometimes not possible to carry
out census to places unreachable
2. SAMPLE SURVEY

- is a study that obtains data

from a subset of a population,
in order to estimate population
attributes.
- Sample surveys are cheaper
than censuses, but are not as
accurate. 
Sample Survey Examples

• Questionnaire - a set of printed or

written questions often with choice
of answers for obtaining
information from individual.

• Interview - a meeting at which

information is obtained.
 Survey Methods
Computer Direct Surveys

Advantages :
• More accurate answers to sensitive
questions.
• Response rate are usually higher.
Disadvantages :
•Interviewers must have access to computer or
one must provide them.
•Computer direct interviewers may have
serious response rate problems in populations
of lower educational and literacy levels.
 Survey Methods
Email Surveys
Disadvantages :
Advantages :
•You must posses (or purchase0 a list of email
addresses.
• Speed. Email questionnaire can gather
•Many people dislike unsolicited email even more than
several thousand responses with a day
unsolicited regular mail.
or two.
•You cannot use email surveys to generalize findings to
• You can attach pictures and sound files. the whole populations. People who have email are
• Practically no cost involved once the set different from those who do not, even when matched
up has been completed. on demographic characteristics, such as age and
gender.
 Interviewing Methods
Personal Interview
Advantages :
• Good cooperation rates.
• Interviewer can probe and explain
• Visual aids possible
• Illiterate participants can be
reached.
Disadvantages :
•High cost
•Need for highly trained interviewer
•Interviewer bias possible
•Some unwilling to invite strangers into
homes.
 Interviewing Methods
Telephone Interview
Advantages :
• Low cost than personal interview
• Fewer viewers
• Fast completion time
• Reduced interviewer bias
Disadvantages :
•Lower response rate
•Early termination
•Limited interview length
•Inaccessible populations
 There are 2 types of variable

• Independent – You manipulate

• Dependent – Variables that change as
result of manipulation
 3. EXPERIMENT
-is a data collection method where you as a researcher
change some variables and observe their effect on other
variables.
-The researcher controls how members are placed study
groups and which treatment each group receives.
-The researches changes some variables and observe their
effect on other variables.
-In other words, you as a researcher ask your self the key
question, “WHAT IF??”.
 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Advantages : Disadvantages :
• You can explore different results of
•It requires a lot of time and money.
casual relationships that an
observational study cannot.
4.OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

-is about the same as an experiment.

However, the researcher does not
use control groups or assign
treatments.
 ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES

Advantages : Disadvantages :
• Provides direct information •Potential to overlook meaningful
• Provides current Information aspects

• Subjective •Potential for misinterpretation

•May require training
• Easy to complete, saves time
• Can learn about things people may be
unwilling to talk about
Example for Observational Study
Example for Observational Study