Collection and Presentation of Data

Quantitative Method of data collection

• a systematic approach used to gather numerical data that can be quantified and subjected to statistical analysis

• used in research to measure variables, test hypotheses, and generate objective results that can be generalized to larger populations

Importance of Quantitative Data Collection

• Informed Decision-Making

• Minimizing Risks

• Testing Hypotheses and Theories

• Understanding and Analyzing Trends

• Ensuring Accuracy and Reliability

Informed Decision-Making

• evidence-based decisions

• data collection provides factual basis for this

Minimizing Risks

ensuring that decisions are based on solid evidence rather than assumptions or guesses

Testing Hypotheses and Theories

quantitative data can be used to test these predictions by comparing actual measurements against expected outcomes.

Understanding and Analyzing Trends

• data collection allows organizations and researchers to track trends over time

• by analyzing collected data, patterns can be identified, leading to insights that might bot be immediately apparent, such as correlations between different variables

Ensuring Accuracy and Reliability

Data Integrity: Consistent and systematic data collection ensures that the information used in analysis is accurate and reliable. This is essential producing valid and credible results

Data Collection

refers to the process of gathering numerical or categorical data that can be analyzed statistically to test hypotheses or answer research questions

Experiments

involve manipulating more independent variables to observe their effect in dependent variables while controlling other factors

Observstions

involves systematically recording quantitative data on specific behaviors or events in a natural or controlled setting

Secondary Data Analysis or Use of Documents

this method involves analyzing existing data that was collected for other purposes

Structured Interviews

involve asking a set of predetermined questions in a consistent order to all participants

Questionnaire

is the term used to describe the set of questions you’re asking an individual

Survey

the process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from many individuals

Survey/Questionnaire

used to collect data on opinions, behaviors, attitudes, or characteristics from a large population sample

Components of Survey Research Questionnaire

1. Title or Introduction

2. Demographic Questions

3. Main Body of Questions

4. Filters of Skip Logic

5. Response Options

6. Conclusion of Thank you section

7. 7. Instructions for Completion

Most Suitable Questions for Quantitative Research

• Closed-ended questions

• Likert scales

• Rating scales

• Ranking questions

• Multiple response questions

Closed-ended questions

respondents select one or more options from a set of choices. Yes/No

Likert scales

common type of closed-ended question. measures the intensity of attitudes, opinions, or feelings on continuum

Rating scales

rating a specific item on a numerical scale

Ranking questions

asked to rank items in order of preference, importance, or frequency. provides ordinal data

Multiple Response questions

select more than one answer from a set of options

Methods of Data Presentation

• Text

• Graphs

• Tables

Text

• principle method for explaining findings, outlining trends, and providing contextual information

• involves describing the information using words, sentences, and paragraphs

Graphs

• a very effective visual tool as it displays data at a glance

• facilitates comparison, and can reveal trends and relationships within the data

Frequency Distribution

• graphical and tabular format

• displays the number of observations within a given interval

Bar graph

measure trends

Line Graph

display data points connected by lines

Scatter Plot

use individual data points represented as dots on a graph to visualize the relationship between two variables. useful for identifying patterns

Pie charts

display data as slices of a circle, with each slice representing a category’s proportion relative to the whole

Frequency Histogram

• a type of bar graph that shows the frequency, or number of times, an outcome occurs in a data set

• it has a title, an x-axis, a y-axis, and vertical bars to visually represent the dat

• it is used to summarize discrete or continuous data that are measured on an interval scale

Frequency Polygon

type of line graph where the class frequency is plotted against the class midpoint and the points are joined by a line segment creating a curve

Ogive

• cumulative frequency polygon

• graphs that are used ti estimate how many numbers lie below or above a particular variable or value in data