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Continuation On Methods of Collecting Data

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8 views3 pages

Continuation On Methods of Collecting Data

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nova.okay5
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*continuation on methods of collecting data

Interviewing
-Gathering information from people by direct discussion then answers are recorded. It may be face to face
or on a telephone. A questionnaire to be used is prepared in advance.
Advantages
1.Reliable first-hand information
2.Interviewer can seek clarification in case of ambiguity of answers
3. Can be used on the illiterate people.
Disadvantages
1.Time consuming since one person can be handled at a time
2. Expensive and tiresome as extensive travelling is required to meet the respondents.
3.May encounter language barrier if the respondent doesn’t speak the same language as the interviewer.
4. A respondent may lie, exaggerate or distort facts facts leading to collecting wrong information.

Environmental Quality Surveys


• These are used to collect data about the environmental quality of different sites
• They use the judgement of the person conducting the survey to assess environmental quality
against a range of indicators
o Using a sliding scale (1 -5) or bipolar scale (-3 to 3)
o Usually the lower the score the more negative the assessment of the environmental
quality
• They are subjective because they are based on the opinion of the person completing them
• This can be reduced by:
o Completing in small groups to reach a consensus regarding the score
o Using the mode of EQS completed by a number of students
• They produce quantitative data

Strengths Limitations

• Possible to have a larger sample size • The meaning behind the results is not clear
Quantitative Data • Information can often be collected • Human error or equipment error can lead to
quickly mistakes in measurement
• Data collection can be duplicated
• More objective than qualitative data
• More reliable than qualitative data

• Often a small sample size


• Enquiries are not easy to duplicate
• More in-depth than quantitative data
Qualitative Data • Difficult to make comparisons
• More valid than quantitative data
• Low reliability
• Time-consuming

Sampling
Types of sampling
Purpose of Sampling
• It gives an overview of the whole feature/population to be sampled
• There is not enough time/equipment/access to measure the whole area being examined
• Sampling provides a representative and statistically valid sample of the whole
Types of Sampling
• There are three types of sampling to consider
o Random
o Systematic
o Stratified
• Random sampling
o A grid is drawn/placed over the area to be studied
o The squares which include part of the study area are numbered
o The numbers are entered into a random number generator
o The samples should be collected as near as possible to the points given
• Systematic sampling
o The samples are selected at regular intervals for example every 500 meters or every tenth
person
• Stratified sampling
o Used when the study area includes significantly different parts known as subsets
o Is based on the idea that the sample represents the whole population
o If a questionnaire is being used to collect data and the population of the study area has
10% of people over 65, then the sample should include 10% of people over 65
• All sampling methods have advantages and disadvantages

Sampling
Advantages Disadvantages
type

• Least biased of all sampling all • Representation of the overall population


possible sample sites have an may be poor if the random sites miss
Random equal chance of being selected large areas
• Can be used with a large • Some sites selected may not be accessible
sample area/population or safe

• It is easy and quick making it


• Not all sites have an equal chance of
more straightforward than
being selected which increases the bias
Systematic random sampling
• There may be over or under-
• It covers the whole study area
representation of a particular feature
equally

• It can be used alongside


systematic and random
sampling • The proportions of sub-sets need to be
Stratified
known and be accurate
• Comparisons can be made
between sub-sets

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