Engineering Data Analysis — Data and Data Collection (Vocabulary Flashcards)

Vocabulary flashcards covering data types, data collection methods, data quality factors, survey design, and experimental basis.

Data

Any information—raw or organized—expressed using letters, numbers, or symbols; refers to or represents things like preferences, ideas, objects, or traits.

Qualitative data

A categorical measurement expressed not in numbers but by means of a natural language description.

Quantitative data

A numerical measurement expressed in numbers.

Primary data

Data which are collected fresh and for the first time; original in character.

Secondary data

Data which have been collected by someone else and have already passed through the statistical process.

Data collection

The process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest in a systematic fashion to answer research questions, test hypotheses, and evaluate outcomes.

Observation (data collection)

A data collection method where information is gathered from the field by watching or examining the subject.

Interview

An oral-verbal data collection method in which an interviewer asks questions to a respondent.

Questionnaire

A self-administered data collection method where respondents read questions and write answers, often mailed to respondents.

Case study

An intensive investigation of a particular unit under consideration.

Survey

A data-collection method widely used to diagnose and solve social problems by undertaking systematic inquiries.

Structured observation

Observation conducted with standardized conditions, recording methods, defined units to observe, and selection of pertinent data.

Unstructured observation

Observation conducted without predefined plans or structured thinking before observing.

Participant observation

The observer is a member of the group being observed.

Non-participant observation

The observer watches the group without participating or informing the subjects.

Controlled observation

Observation that takes place in natural conditions to obtain a spontaneous picture of life and persons.

Uncontrolled observation

Observation that follows definite pre-arranged plans with an experimental procedure; typically done in a laboratory under controlled conditions.

Reliability (secondary data)

Considerations of who collected the data, when, which methods, and the timing to assess trustworthiness.

Suitability (secondary data)

Whether the data’s object, scope, and nature match the current study’s inquiry.

Adequacy of data

Whether the data are precise and sufficient for the study, considering accuracy and area differences.

Designing a survey

Process to determine goals, identify the sample, choose interviewing methods, decide question content and order, conduct the interview, and analyze results.

Internal validity

The extent to which results correctly reflect the causal effect within the study.

External validity

The extent to which results generalize beyond the study context.

Hypothesis

A testable statement used in scientific investigation.

Controls

Elements used in an experiment to rule out alternative explanations and establish causal relationships.

Statistical tests

Analyses used to determine if observed data support or refute hypotheses.

Qualitative data → Quality

Qualitative data relate to quality; described in natural language rather than numeric values.

Quantitative data → Quantity

Quantitative data relate to quantity and are expressed as numbers.