Chapter IV B

QUANTITATIVE
DATA COLLECTION
• With the aid of probability estimates, we can
qualify our results and state the degree of
confidence we have in them.
• Statistical inference is an application of
inductive reasoning. It allows us to reason
from evidence found in the sample to
conclusions we wish to make about the
population.
After we have detailed our hypotheses, the
purpose of hypothesis testing is to determine
the accuracy of our hypotheses due to the fact
that we have collected a sample of data, not a
census.
3 approaches to quantitative hypotheses

1. Compare groups on an independent variable

to its impact on a dependent variable.
2. Relate one or more independent variables to
one or more dependent variables.
3. Describe responses to the independent or
dependent variables.
Examples of QuanTitative hypotheses
• What is the frequency and variation of scores
on [name of variable] for [participants] in the
study ?
• Does [name of theory] explain the
relationship between [independent variable]
and [dependent variable], controlling for the
effect of [control variable]?
• There is no significant difference between
[the control group on the independent
variable] on [dependent variable]
MEASUREMENT IN
RESEARCH
 Measurement principles
Two systems : Qualitative (Non-metric) &
Quantitative (metric)
• Nominal (Non-metric) định danh
• Ordinal (Non-metric) thứ tự
• Interval (metric) quãng
• Ratio Scale (metric) tỷ lệ
 Nominal ( qualitative / non-metric )

• To categorize only ( without meaning of

quantity )
• Single answer
• Multiple answers
 Ordinal ( qualitative / non-metric )

• to define order (forced ranking) ( without

meaning of quantity )
• for example order of preference
• source 0 does Not have meaning
 Likert ( quantitative / metric )

• Likert allows accumulative sum of values

• source 0 does Not have meaning

• Likert is also Ordinal to measure the level of

satisfaction
• very popular in quantitative survey
 Semantic Differential
Thang đo cấp quãng đối nghĩa
• Similar to Likert
• Only has two categories at two extremities
• Stapel : Only has one category at the center
Ratio scale ( quanTitative / metric )
• all numbers express magnitude
• source 0 has value
• Fill the values to the questionnaire
• Hoặc dùng thang đo tổng hằng số (constant-
sum scaling)
 Strengths
 Ratio scale ( strongest )
 Interval
 Ordinal
 Nominal ( weakest )

• Stronger system can be converted to weaker

system
• But weaker system cannot be converted to
stronger system
 ASSESSING
MEASUREMENT
 Errors
• Systematic error
o constant bias
o E.g., wrong measurement, bad
questionnaire, bad interview technique

• Random error
o mistake in coding, wrong summary,
psychological effect, bad health, etc.
 Reliability

X = X0 + ℇS + ℇR

X is actual measurement :
X0 real measurement
ℇS systematic error
ℇR random error
QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGN
• Quantitative research uses Structured
Questionnaire

• Qualitative research uses Unstructured

questionnaire/or Discussion guidelines
 Requirements for questionnaire
• Number of questions must be adequate

• Must motivate the respondents to answer

Questionnaire design process
1) Data requirements
2) Interview channels
3) Content of questions
4) Responses format
5) Structure of questionnaire
6) Test and revise questionnaire
 Interview channels
 face-to-face
 telephone
 email
 internet survey
 Test and Review
• Pretest /  test :
– Internal reference and revision
– Final draft questionnaire

•  test ( 2nd ) ⊂ Pilot Study :

– Trial interview/survey
– Final Questionnaire
ACQUIRING DATA
• Research dept.
• Fieldwork dept : recruitment, guiding and
training, random check (VN 20%-30%)
(double-check)
• Data processing: central reviewing, coding,
analyzing
DATA EDITING
 Reasons for mistakes
• bad questionnaire
• bad interviewers
• bad interview techniques
• solution : relations between interviewers and
supervisors
 Steps for editing
• Field editing
– done by field staff
– interviewers check and adjust right after the
interview
– Supervisors continue to check and clarify
• Central editing
– done by data editing team
– check all mistakes