Download - Collecting Data Technique
1.0 COLLECTING DATA TECHNIQUES
1.1 Prepare and implement a plan for the collection of primary and secondary information for a given
business problem.1.2 Describe and justify the survey methodology
and frame used
COLLECTING DATA
Why do we need data? To keep records for
administrative purposes
To make decision on important issues
To pass information on to others
Collecting Data
Who needs information?i. Governmentinformation is used to develop, implement and monitor social and economic programs
ii. Businessesmake decisions about employing people, marketing their products and opening new offices, warehouses and factories
Who needs information?iii.Community Grouppopulation distribution, attendance of the Sporting Clubs members at games, number of young people in the local area.
iv. Individuals
Collecting Data
Statistics are often developed through a process commonly referred to as a survey. A statistical survey is developed by using well-defined concepts, methods and procedures, and compiling the information.
Collecting Data
The information collected can be from various units of a population (sample) or all units of a population (census). It can be collected either directly from the sampled population or through the use of administrative data
Collecting Data
COLLECTING DATA TECHNIQUES1. Observation2. Inspection/ Experiment3. Survey
a. Personal Survey (face-to-face interview)
b. Mail Surveyc. Telephone Survey
3. Abstracted from published book
4. Internet
1. Observation• most commonly used• used by social scientists to learn
about the customs and habits of people, communities, and animals’ kingdom.
• Researcher may or may not have direct contact or communication with people whose behaviour is being recorded.
Collecting Data Techniques
1. ObservationAdvantages:•Record actual behaviour – not what people said/did/believe.• Can check the validity –
compared the statement and the actual recorded behaviour.
Collecting Data Techniques
1. ObservationDisadvantages:• observer needs to be highly skilled and unbiased
• not tell us about the respondents’ attitudes.
• Not provide any insights into what people may be thinking/motivate.
• takes a great deal of time, preparation and therefore money
• Ethical issues – invasion of privacy or abusive.
Collecting Data Techniques
2. Inspection/ Experiment• data required is about objects• may require tests which destroy
the object• require standardized procedures
based upon experience of the product under test.
Collecting Data Techniques
Collecting Data Techniques
3. Surveya. Personal Survey (face-to-face
interview) • Construct questionnaires – ask
questions – records the responsesAdvantages:• Many questions can be asked
quickly• High response rate• interviewer to clarify terms• well-trained interviewer can detect
if a respondent is giving false information.
Collecting Data Techniques
a. Personal Survey (face-to-face interview)
Disadvantages:• Expensive - sufficient incentives • Introduce to systematic bias, e.g
facial expressions and statements by interviewers
• Errors in recording responses
3. Surveyb. Postal Survey• questionnaires are mailed to
respondents and return by post
Advantages:• investigation is very fast• informants are spread over a wide
geographical area.• Cheapest than personal interview
Collecting Data Techniques
3. Surveyb. Postal SurveyAdvantages:• Cheapest than personal interview• No interview influence • Respondent has more time to
think of proper response.
Collecting Data Techniques
3. Surveyb. Postal SurveyDisadvantages:• quite low response• Biased• Misinterpret the questions• Questionnaire may be filled in as
a team effort• More time needed
Collecting Data Techniques
Collecting Data Techniques
3. Surveyc. Telephone Survey• to personal interviewLimitation:• cannot be used to interview those
people who don’t have telephone• telephone conversation cannot be
very long
3. Surveyc. Telephone SurveyLimitation:• replies in telephone can be very
erratic and unreliable• may not be convenient for
respondents to answer too many questions.
Collecting Data Techniques
3. Surveyc. Telephone SurveyAdvantages:• less expensive • Procedures can be monitored
Often the most satisfactory collection strategy uses a combination of methods
Collecting Data Techniques
4. BrowsingGood place to browse include:• Newspaper, magazine, journals• Book shops• Published statistics• Companies’ annual reports and
accounts• The records kept by organizations
for internal purposes• Electronic database• The internet
Other Collecting Data Techniques
4. BrowsingAbstracted form published book• more appropriate when the
investigation we wish to conduct involves the analysis of past records
Advantages:• Very low cost
Other Collecting Data Techniques
Abstracted form published bookDisadvantages/limitation:• They may be out of dated• not always follow that the records
we examine will contain the exact data we require
• Not be as relevant as we think to today’s situations. For example, family income change over the years and alter the pattern of demand for many products
Other Collecting Data Techniques
InternetYahoo : www.yahoo.comGoogle : www.google.com• give an overwhelming response.
Department of Statistics Malaysia : www.statistics.gov.my
Other Collecting Data Techniques
The choice of method depends:• complexity and length of
questionnaire• sensitivity of requested
information• Geographical dispersion of survey
population• Cost • time frame
Collecting Data Techniques
1. When collecting data, why is it sometimes better to conduct a sample survey than a census?
2. List some of the things you would need to consider when choosing a data collection method.
Collecting Data Techniques
Collecting Data Techniques1. Given some of your answers to Question
2, decide as a class which method of data collection you would employ to gather data on the following topics:a) the music tastes of your classb) the average height of your classc) the time your parents spend each week
doing houseworkd) the attitude of Malaysian students toward
the environment