MATH 101

Elementary Statistics for the

Health Sciences

Lecture 4
Data Collection Techniques
and Sampling Designs
LIZA T. BILLONES, MSc

Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics

College of Arts and Sciences
University of the Philippines Manila
Sources of Data
Primary Secondary
First-hand information Using Documents

Print or Electronic
Observation Survey

Experimentation
Survey - Questionnaire
Questionnaires are a popular means of collecting
data, but are difficult to design and often require
many rewrites before an acceptable questionnaire
is produced.
Advantages:

•  Can be posted, e-mailed or faxed.

•  Can cover a large number of people or organizations.
•  Wide geographic coverage.
•  Relatively cheap.
•  No prior arrangements are needed.
•  Avoids embarrassment on the part of the respondent.
•  Respondent can consider responses.
•  Possible anonymity of respondent.
•  No interviewer bias.
Survey - Questionnaire
Disadvantages:

•  Design problems.
•  Questions have to be relatively simple.
•  Low response rate (but can make follow-ups).
•  Require a return deadline.
•  Several reminders may be required.
•  Assumes no literacy problems.
•  No control over who completes it.
•  Not possible to give assistance if necessary.
•  Problems with incomplete questionnaires.
•  Replies not spontaneous and independent of
each other.
•  Respondent can read all questions beforehand
and then decide whether to complete or not.
For example, perhaps because it is too long,
too complex, uninteresting, or too personal.
Survey – Personal Interview
Personal Interview is a technique that is primarily used to
gain an understanding of the underlying reasons and
motivations for people’s attitudes, preferences or
behaviour.
Interviews can be undertaken on a personal one-to-one
basis or in a group.
They can be conducted at work, at home, in the street
or in a shopping centre, or some other agreed location.
Survey – Personal Interview
Advantages:
•  Serious approach by respondent resulting in
accurate information.
•  Good response rate.
•  Completed and immediate.
•  Possible in-depth questions.
•  Interviewer in control and can give help if there
is a problem.
•  Can investigate motives and feelings.
•  Can use recording equipment.
•  Characteristics of respondent assessed – tone of
voice, facial expression, hesitation, etc.
•  Can use props.
•  Used to pilot other methods.
Survey – Personal Interview
Disadvantages:
•  Need to set up interviews.
•  Time consuming.
•  Geographic limitations.
•  Can be expensive.
•  Normally need a set of questions.
•  Respondent bias – tendency to please or impress,
create false personal image, or end interview
quickly.
•  Embarrassment possible if personal questions.
•  Transcription and analysis can present problems –
subjectivity.
•  If many interviewers, training is required.
Survey – Telephone Interview
Telephone Interview is an alternative form of interview to
the personal, face-to-face interview.

Advantages:
•  Relatively cheap.
•  Quick.
•  Can cover reasonably large numbers of people.
•  Wide geographic coverage.
•  High response rate – keep going till the required
number.
•  No waiting.
•  Spontaneous response.
•  Help can be given to the respondent.
•  Can tape answers.
Survey – Telephone Interview
Disadvantages:
•  Often connected with selling.
•  Questionnaire required.
•  Not everyone has a telephone.
•  Repeat calls are inevitable – average 2.5 calls
to get someone.
•  Straightforward questions are required.
•  Respondent has little time to think.
•  Cannot use visual aids.
•  Can cause irritation.
•  Good telephone manner is required.
•  Question of authority.
Assignment 1 (Print on 1 Sheet)
Survey questionnaire
•  choose your group mates, 5 per group
•  choose a survey title
•  design a questionnaire for that topic
(type on a short bond paper-1 page, Arial 12, single space)
The questionnaire would include the following:
- introduction
- name (optional), gender, age
- 2 multiple choice type questions
- 2 likert type questions
- 1 open-ended question
Assignment 2 (Print on 1 Sheet)

Sampling Design
•  Consider UPM students SS 15-16 as population

•  Use n=100 (sample size)

•  Specify the probability sampling design that you would
use in identifying your samples

•  Give your justification/reason for choosing such design

•  Describe how you shall go about it, include details to

make clear your plan of choosing/identifying your
respondents
Sampling Procedures
Sampling
Procedures

Non-Probability Probability
Sampling Sampling

Simple Stratified
Judgment Convenience Random

Quota Cluster
Systematic
Probability Sampling

Each population element has a chance to

be included in the sample.

Probability Sampling

Simple
Systematic Stratified Cluster
Random
Simple Random Sampling (SRS)
•  all items in the population have equal chances
to be selected as part of the sample.
•  needs a frame - list of population elements
•  for homogeneous populations
•  selection may be with replacement or without
replacement.
•  may use table of random numbers, calculator or
lottery technique in obtaining samples.
Systematic Sampling
•  used as substitute for SRS when frame is not
available.
•  determine the sampling interval or period:
k = N/n
•  the population is like being grouped into n
where each group contains k elements
•  randomly select one individual from the 1st
group.
•  select every kth individual thereafter.
Stratified Sampling
•  for heterogeneous populations
•  divide the population into 2 or more groups (called
strata) to form homogeneous subgroups.
•  select samples from each group using SRS or
systematic random sampling technique.
•  combine the samples.
Cluster Sampling
•  for large populations
•  divide the population into 2 or more groups
(called clusters) select one cluster or more from
among the clusters using SRS technique
•  combine the selected clusters to form the
sample.
Non-probability Sampling
In this sampling procedure, not every member
of the population is given the chance to be
included in the sample.

Accidental Sampling
Samples are gathered without regard to
planned activities.
Non-probability Sampling

Judgment Sampling
The researcher selects samples according to
his/her judgment which is based on past
experience.

Convenience Sampling
Samples are chosen at the convenience of the
researcher.
Non-probability Sampling

Purposive Sampling

Samples are chosen according to a particular

purpose.

Quota Sampling
Its main consideration is to complete the
designated proportional part of the population.
Survey Errors

Excluded from
•  Coverage Error
selection.

•  Non-response Error Follow up on

nonresponses.

•  Sampling Error
Chance differences
from sample to
•  Measurement Error sample.

Bad Question!
 Stratified Sampling: Equal vs Proportional
Say, n=65.
Sample Size
Stratum
Equal
Strata Size Proportional Allocation
Allocation
(Ni)
ni=n/k %=Ni /N ni=(%)(n)
First 350 17 0.3483 23

Second 275 17 0.2736 18

Third 220 17 0.2189 15

Fourth 160 17 0.1592 11

Total (N) 1005 68 1.0000 67

Assignment: Due next meeting

Print on 1 short bond paper a diagram of the

4 basic probability sampling designs:

1.  Simple Ransom Sampling,

2.  Systematic Sampling,
3.  Stratified Sampling, and
4.  Cluster Sampling