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