Module in ELEMENTARY STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (BSEM 26/STAT 1)

LESSON 3
Methods of Data Collection
 Module in ELEMENTARY STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (BSEM 26/STAT 1)

LESSON 3
Methods of Data Collection

It is not a secret that statistics run through data. For without data, statistics would be meaningless.
With this, it is of great importance for a researcher to be knowledgeable and well-versed with various data
collection/gathering techniques which will be of aid for a researcher. In this lesson, students are expected
to develop knowledge regarding various methods in data collection as well as determining which method
suits a specific research scenario.

Definition of Data Collection

Data collection refers to various methodologies employed by a statistician/researcher in obtaining
a data. In collecting data, one must think of the most efficient and most economical means of gathering
information from the target population or sample. One must also exercise honesty and truthfulness in
collecting data from the required and designated sources

Types of Data According to Sources

1. Documentary Sources
This includes data found in published or unpublished reports, statistics, documents,
manuscripts, letters, journals, etc. Documentary sources could be further identified as
primary or secondary sources.
a. Primary Sources
- data gathered is obtained from the original source
b. Secondary Sources
- data gathered is computed or compiled from the original source

2. Field Sources
This include living persons which have sufficient knowledge about social conditions or had
been in intimate contact with the subject over a considerable period of time

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 Module in ELEMENTARY STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (BSEM 26/STAT 1)

Practice Exercise 1:
Determine whether the following research scenarios exemplify the use of documentary or field
source type of data collection. Furthermore, if your answer is documentary source, identify whether it is
primary or secondary source.

1. For a science research project concerning Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection,
Chopper, a student-researcher, accessed the actual works of Charles Darwin and developed his
own interpretation on the said topic.

Answer: _________________________________________

2. Robin, a literature student, referred to Ambeth Ocampo’s Rizal Without the Overcoat, a
collection of essays that introduces the life and works of Dr. Jose Rizal, for her research paper.

Answer: _________________________________________

3. During the census of the Philippine Statistics Authority, enumerators were asked to gain
information about the population by conducting ocular visitations and informal interviews
which are then used for further analysis about the current status of the Filipinos.

Answer: _________________________________________

4. Sanji, a food critique and researcher, have travelled to various remote islands in Palawan to
witness first handedly the techniques in food preparations practiced by the indigenous people
residing in the area.

Answer: _________________________________________

5. For a financial analysis, Nami have gathered various companies’ financial statements from the
Philippine Stocks Exchange (PSE). She will be using such information to better assess each
company’s sales and income projection for the year 2021-2025.

Answer: _________________________________________

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 Module in ELEMENTARY STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (BSEM 26/STAT 1)

Methods of Data Collection

1. Interview Method

Interviews can be defined as a qualitative research technique which involves conducting

intensive individual interviews with a small number of respondents to explore their perspectives on a
particular idea, program, or situation.
There are three different formats of interviews used in various researchers:
a. Structured Interviews
- Consists of a series of pre-determined questions that all interviewees answer in
the same order. Data analysis usually tends to be more straightforward because
researcher can compare and contrast different answers given by the interviewees
on the same question
b. Unstructured Interviews
- It is usually the least reliable format of interview from a research perspective
since no questions are prepared prior to the interview. Unstructured interviews
can be associated with a high level of bias, also, comparison of answers given by
respondents tends to be difficult due to the differences in the formulation f
questions.
c. Semi-structured Interviews
- Contains the components of both structured and unstructured formats. In semi-
structured interviews, the interviewer prepares a set of same questions to be
answered by interviewees. At the same time, additional questions might be asked
during the interview to clarify and/or further expand certain issues.

2. Questionnaire Method

Questionnaire method is done by providing or sending a questionnaire to the respondent/s

who you want to obtain information from. This method can be utilized for both quantitative and
qualitative studies. Examples of commonly used questionnaires in researches are as follow:
a. Computer Questionnaire
b. Telephone Questionnaire
c. In-house survey
d. Mail Questionnaire

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 Module in ELEMENTARY STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (BSEM 26/STAT 1)

Furthermore, in developing questionnaires, the following types of questions are mostly

being utilized by researchers:
a. Open-ended questions
b. Multiple-choice questions
c. Dichotomous questions
d. Scaling questions

3. Registration Method

In registration method, data or information needed for a research study is obtained from
various agencies authorized to be held responsible for safekeeping of various information or data.
4. Observation Method

Observation, as its name implies, is a way of collecting data through observing. It is

classified as a participatory study since the researcher has to immerse in the setting where the
respondents are, while taking notes and/or recording. Observation as a data collection can be
categorized as structured or unstructured.
a. Structured/Systematic Observation
- Data collection is conducted using specific variables and according to a pre-
defined schedule

b. Unstructured Observation
- Data collection is conducted in an open and free manner where there would be
no pre-determined variables or objectives

5. Experiment Method

Experiment method makes use of series of experiments on some controlled and

experimental variables. This method of data gathering is used to examine cause and effect
relationships among variables.

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 Module in ELEMENTARY STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (BSEM 26/STAT 1)

Practice Exercise 2:
Determine what method of data collection is exemplified in each research scenarios provided
below. Write your answer on the space provided in each item.

1. A researcher went to the municipal social welfare office to get information on the number of
children suffering from malnutrition in each barangay under their municipality.

Answer: _____________________________________________

2. A psychiatrist carefully observes and records his findings on the behavioral shifts and patterns
manifested by a patient in a psychiatric ward.

Answer: _____________________________________________

3. Maria conversed with students and asked them about their preference over Math and English
subjects

Answer: _____________________________________________

4. The organizers of a recently conducted social event asked the attendees to answer an
evaluation form which asks them to rate the event on different criteria

Answer: _____________________________________________

5. A botanist carefully studies a chain of reaction when a specific type of plant is treated with
various chemical solutions developed by a biotechnological research facility.

Answer: _____________________________________________

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 Module in ELEMENTARY STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY (BSEM 26/STAT 1)

KEY TO CORRECTION

Practice Exercise 1
1. Documentary Source – Primary
2. Documentary Source – Secondary
3. Field Source
4. Field Source
5. Documentary Source – Secondary

Practice Exercise 2
1. Registration Method
2. Observation Method
3. Interview Method
4. Questionnaire Method
5. Experiment Method

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