Data Collection
Data is a collection of facts that can be measured or translated. Data may consist of words, numbers, observations, descriptions of things, and measurements. Data may be qualitative or quantitative. “Qualitative data is descriptive information that describes something. Quantitative data is continuous measurements of numerical information” (Lind, Marchal, & Wathen, 2011, p. 9). Data can be collected in many ways but the simplest way is direct observation. Understanding data analysis helps people to make an informed decision.
Team A has been tasked with analyzing the Excel data set of freshmen’s weight both before and after their first semester at a leading state university. The freshmen lived in either an on-campus
…show more content…
In this particular experiment, we will conduct an experiment called the designed experiment in this survey. We will use the weight of the each freshmen randomly selected at this leading university whom either lives in the dormitory or off- campus in private dormitories.
Another way of collecting data is conducting it as a survey in which researcher will sample a group of people both male and female to ask one or more questions, and record the information. This information can be used as part of the research conducted.
Observational study is another form of collecting data. In observational studies the observer will study the habit and functions of the targeted population. In this case it would be the freshmen at this leading university that live on campus or in private off-campus dorms.
All of these examples of collecting and conducting data will have to involve using samples conducted by the population and applying inferential information, which is obtained through representatives. These samples are typically those possessed by the population of interest when conducting a sample population by choosing random samples of every different sample size. It gives them an equal chance of selection and does not target those that would compromise the data.
In conducting research and using a targeted population, always try to use as
The two most common research techniques are to randomly select a nationally representative sample and conduct either a phone or written survey of the subjects. A few researchers select individuals for their survey, but another common technique is to select a random sample of Physicians and interview them about their patients.
Data and statistics is able to be collected through a number of different ways to gather information, the majority of people have taken part
Data is a group of information that are used for various purposes like analysis, evaluations and to arrive at certain results or conclusions. Data reporting is a process where data is extracted form a source or many sources and then converted into a format that can be used for a purpose.
Quantitative data is facts that are written in numerical form and then proven. The way Quantitative data is recorded is in numbers. An example of Quantitative data is 55%take bus, 25% take train, 10% walk and 10% car.
Quantitative data can be described as measurable factual and accurate data, i.e. sales, volumes and costs. Can be developed with historic records. Quantative data is more objective rather than subjective focusing on key issues.
There are a number of methods of collecting data, some of them are – questionnaire, surveys, checklists, interviews, observations, focus group etc (Cordray, 1986; Einhorn and Hogarth, 1986).
Data comprises of factual information. Data are the facts from which information is derived. Data is not necessarily informative on its own but needs to be structured, interpreted, analysed and contextualised. Once data undergoes this process, it transforms in to information. Information should be accessible and understood by the reader without needing to be interpreted or manipulated in any way.
To obtain the reason behind the lowered morale, a ten-question survey was conducted of existing employees to understand company strengths as well as areas for needed improvement. Employees were asked questions such as, do your enjoy working at BIMS, are you paid fairly, does management treat you well, and do you enjoy your assigned shift (University of Phoenix Material, 2013) . As a 24-hour operation hypothesis range from employees not working the times they need, to addressing employee pride in their work that comes along with fair treatment by managerial staff members and fair compensation for services provided. Debbie Horner, the HR manager responsible for this survey felt the problem was concentrated in employee motivation and felt that this was the area that needed most improvement. Possible solutions to this are incentive competitions, shift changes, and change in managerial approach to individual needs to raise employee self-worth and satisfaction.
Evidence is the collection of information and facts that are used to prove or disprove, test the validity and the truthfulness of theories or beliefs about a certain topic. Evidence is used in everyday situations and is used by everyone and can be categorised in two types of data; qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative data is the use of worded descriptors such as feelings, emotions and beliefs; unlike quantitative data which is the use of numerical and empirical based research and data and is less easily falsifiable. Quantitative data is recorded through specific methodologies that allow for data to be repeated and measured more accurately than that of quantitative date, for example; the use of bar charts allows for a clear understanding of the data being presented, as it uses numerical values which meanings can be understood by all. In comparison, qualitative data, or the recording of feelings or emotions, can be easily interpreted by one person but not so easily by another.
“Data is plural of datum, which is the dates, numbers, ages, symbols, letters, and words that represent basic facts and observations about people, processes, measurements, and conditions.” To be useful, data must be accurate.
Data Collection. It is imperative for the data to be accurate and reliable in the data collection process of an observation study (Bartlett, 2013). The researcher decides how to classify and record the data usually involving a method of sampling (McLeod, 2015. There are a variety of sampling methods for collecting data like event sampling, time sampling and instantaneous (target time) sampling. When the observer decides in advance specified time periods is an example of time
When census data cannot be collected, statisticians collect data by developing specific experiment designs and survey samples. Representative sampling assures that inferences and conclusions can safely extend from the sample to the population as a whole. An experimental study involves taking measurements of the system under study, manipulating the system, and then taking additional measurements using the same procedure to determine if the manipulation has modified the values of the measurements. In contrast, an observational study does not involve experimental
According to (Chimedza, Muchengetwa & Chinyemba 2010) data is a collection of numbers or observations of things that are happening brought together for reference or analysis for example hourly movement of a cyclone.(Tucker 1988)
Probability sampling techniques are most likely to attain from record participants’ attitude and behavior which can record as statistics, and investigators analyze the data to get the result.