Unit III

DATA COLLECTION AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the topic the students should be able to:
1 . distinguish between primary data and secondary data.
2. identify the appropriate method used in a given set of data.
3. differentiate the types of sampling techniques.
4. classify the sample according to the sampling techniques
5. construct a table showing the percent share of each stratum and
6. determine the sample units given the distribution of the population.

3.1 Sources of Data

There are two type of statistical data according to their sources:
1. Primary data refer to information which are gathered directly from an original
source, or which are based on direct or firs t hand experience.
Examples:
a. first- person accounts
b. autobiographies
c. diaries
2. Secondary data refer to information which are taken from published or unpublished
data which were previously gathered by other individuals or agencies.
Examples:
a. published books

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 b. newspapers
c. magazines
d. journals

Advantages of primary data over secondary data:

1. Primary data frequently give detailed definition of terms and accurate statistical units
used in the Survey.
2 .Primary data lend more relevance to the researcher’s study because of his direct
participation in the Project.
3. Primary data are more reliable because of their first- hand nature.

3.2 Methods Used in the collection of data:

3.2.1 The direct or interview method
This is a method of person-to – person exchange between the interviewer and the
interviewee. I t provides consistent and more precise information since clarification
may be given by the interviewee. Questions may be repeated or modified to suit each
interviewee’s level of understanding. However, this method is time consuming,
expensive, and has limited field coverage.
3.2.2 The indirect or questionnaire method
In this method, written responses are given to prepared questions. A
questionnaire is a list of questions which are intended to elicit answers to the
problems of a study. Questionnaires may be mailed or hand- carried. This method is
inexpensive and can cover a wide area in shorter span of time.
Informers may feel a greater sense of freedom to express views and opinions
because their anonymity is maintained. There is a strong probability, however, of
non-response especially if questionnaires are mailed. Questions not easily
understood will also probably not be answered.
3.2.3 The registration method
This method of gathering information is enforced by certain laws. Examples are
the registration of births, deaths, motor vehicles, marriages and licences. The

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advantage of this method is that information is kept systematized and made available
to all because of the requirement of the law.

3.2.4. The experiment method

This method is used when the objective is to determine the cause and effect
relationship of certain phenomena under controlled conditions. Scientific researchers
usually use experiment method.)

3.3 Sampling Techniques

Sampling is concerned with the selection of a subset of individuals from within a
statistical population to estimate characteristics of the whole population. Pagoso et al.
(1987)
3.3.1 Random Sampling is a method of selecting a sample size (n) from a universe
(N) such that each member of the population has an equal chance of being included in
the sample and all possible combinations of size n have an equal chance of being
selected as the sample.

Ways of Drawing Sample Units at Random

a.. Lottery Sampling
b. Table of Random Numbers
c. Remainder Method

3.3.2. Systematic Sampling is a method that involves selecting every kth element of a
series representing the population.
When sample units are obtained by drawing every 4th or 7th or 10th on a list, the
process of selecting the sample is called systematic sampling.
For example, there are 5000 families in the city . Fifty families are needed for an
experiment. Since 5000 50 =100, then k=100 this means that every 100th subject
would be selected. However the first subject would be selected at random from subjects

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1 to 100.Suppose the subject 85 was selected, then the sample would consist of
subjects whose numbers are 85, 185, 285, and so on until 50 families are obtained.

Types of Systematic Sampling

3.3.2.1 Stratified Sampling -the population is first divided into groups based on
homogeneity of drawing samples whose member come only from one stratum. The
distribution of sampling units is proportionate to the total number of units in each
stratum. The bigger the population the more sample units are drawn, the less population
the less sample units.
Example : Let us say Mario and a group of his classmates would want to study the
consumption patterns of a municipality which has a population of 10,000 families. They
would draw 1000 sample units from the population.The clerk from the municipal hall
provided them with the following information,
Strata No. of Population
High- income group 500
Middle income group 2,500
Low- income group 7,000
Total 10,000
Based on this information, how can Mario and his friends pick 1000
sample units proportionate to the aforementioned income classification?

The following steps can guide Mario and his friends in the research:

Step 1: Divide the member of the population into percent shares.

Table 1 Percent Share of each stratum
Strata Distribution of Population % share
High Income 500/ 10,000 0.05 or 5 %
Middle Income 2,500/10,000 0.25 or 25 %
Low Income 7,000/ 10,000 0.70 or 70%

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Step 2: Multiply each percent share by 1000 sample units to get the actual
number of sample units for each strata.

Table 2 Distribution of the Sample Units

Strata Number of Sample Units
High Income 50
Middle Income 250
Low Income 700
Total 1,000

3.3.2.2 .Cluster Sampling is sometimes called area sample because it is frequently

applied on a geographical basis. On this basis, districts or blocks of a municipality or
city are selected. These districts or blocks constitute the clusters.
3.3.2.3.Multi-stage sampling- this technique uses several stages or phases in
getting the sample from the general population.

Example :
Let us see how this technique can be used by picking a sample from the regional
division of the Philippines,
1st Stage: Enumerate all the I2 regions of the Philippines.
2nd Stage: From the 12 regions select 3 at random
3rd Stage: From these 3 regions select 2 provinces from each region
4th stage : With two provinces from the 3 regions, we have in our list, six provinces.
We enumerate all the cities and municipalities of these provinces. From this list, we
select three municipalities or cities from each province. The process of selection should
be done at random.
In the final analysis: We will only survey 18 municipalities in our study.

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3.3.3 Non- Random Sampling
In this methodology, not all member of the population are given equal chances to
be chosen, certain elements in the population are deliberately left out in the choice of
the sample for varied reasons.

3.3.3.1 Purposive sampling- this is based on certain criteria laid down

by the Researcher. People who satisfy his criteria will be interviewed.
3.3.3.2 Quota sampling- this is relatively quick and inexpensive method to
operate, Each interviewer is given definite instructions about the section of the
public he is to question, but the final choice of the actual persons is left to his
own convenience or preference and is not predetermined by some carefully
operated randomizing plan.

3.3.3.3 Convenience Sampling

The researcher can choose the interviewee at his convenience.
For example a researcher wants to find out the reaction of banking
community to a particular banking circular. Instead of interviewing the executives
of all banks, he purposely can choose an interview the key executives of only five
biggest banks in the country if he believes that it is the reaction of these big ones
that counts anyway, Of course the answers obtained through this procedure are
not representative of the entire banking system.
Another example , if the researcher wants to find out if the production of
fish balls conforms to the minimum standard of health and safety. There are
hundreds of ambulant peddlers of this product. Thus, it is impossible for a
researcher to make a complete list, much less to interview product say from the
fish ball peddlers near his school or near his residence.

Exercises:

A. Identify the collection method appropriate for the following data:

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________1. Number of companies belonging to a certain industry in the national
capital region.
________2. Ages and present occupation of the heads of 1000 households in a
community.
________3 .Educational attainment of random sample of bank managers.

B .Classify each sample as random, stratified, systematic or cluster

______ 1. Every 10th customer entering a shopping mall is asked to select his
or her favourite store.
______ 2. In a University, all teachers from three buildings are interviewed if
they believe the students have higher grades now than in the
previous years.
_______ 3. A the teacher writes the name of each student in a card, shuffles
the cards and then draws five names.
C. Determine the percent share and sample units in the table below:
The table below shows the distribution of employees in each department in a certain
company. If 20 % of the total employees will be surveyed, construct a table showing the
percent share of each department and the distribution of the sample units.
Table 5 Distribution of the Population

Departments Employees

Administrative 250

Manufacturing 120

Finance 85

Warehousing 20

Research and Development 15

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