Module 1

Republic of the Philippines
CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Fuentes Drive, Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines
Tel. No. (036) 6214-578 fax No. (036) 6214-578
website: www.capsu.edu.ph email address: roxas@capsu.edu.ph
Module 1 : Obtaining data
Course Title : Engineering Data Analysis
Course Number : Math 224
Course Description : This course is designed for undergraduate engineering students with emphasis
on problem solving related to societal issues that engineers and scientists are called
upon to solve. It introduces different methods of data collection and the suitability of
using a particular method for a given situation. The relationship of probability to
statistics is also discussed, providing students with the tools they needed to understand
how “chance” plays a role in statistical analysis. Probability distributions of random
variables and their uses are also considered, along with a discussion of linear functions
of random variables within the context of their application to data analysis and
inference. The course also includes estimation techniques for unknown parameters;
and hypothesis testing used in making inferences from sample to population; inference
for regression parameters and build models for estimating means and predicting future
values of key variables under study. Finally, statistically based experimental design
techniques and analysis of outcomes of experiments are discussed with the aid of
statistical software.
Total Learning Time : 3 units (3 hours lecture per week)
Pre-requisites : Differential Calculus (Calculus 1)
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
1. Apply statistical methods in the analysis of data.

2. Design experiments involving several factors.
Accredited: Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities of the Philippines (AACCUP)
Member: Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC)
Agricultural Colleges Association of the Philippines (ACAP)
Tel. No. (036) 6214-578 fax No. (036) 6214-578
Data Collection
Data Collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in an established
systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test hypotheses and evaluate outcomes.
Types of data
1. Primary data
Data which are collected a fresh and for the first time and thus happen to be original in character
and known as primary data
2. Secondary data
Data which have been collected by someone else and which have already been passed through the
statistical process.
Methods of data collection

Primary data
1. Observation method – is a method under which data from the field is collected with the help of
observation by the observer or by personally going to the field.
2. Interview method- this method involves presentation or oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of over-
verbal response.
3. Questionnaire method- this method of data collection is quite popular, particularly in case of big
enquiries.
The questionnaire is mailed to respondents who are expected to read and understand the questions
and write down the reply in the space meant for the purpose in the questionnaire itself. The
respondents have to answer the questions on their own.
4. Case study method is essentially an intensive investigation of the particular unit under consideration.
5. Survey method is one of the common methods of diagnosing and solving of social problems is that of
undertaking surveys
Secondary data
Source of data
 Publications of central, state, local government
 Technical and trade journals
 Books, magazines, newspaper
 Reports & publications of industry, bank, stock exchange
 Reports by research scholars, universities, economist
 Public records
Tel. No. (036) 6214-578 fax No. (036) 6214-578
Factors to be considered before using secondary data
1. Reliability of data- who, when, which methods at what time etc.

2. Suitability of data- object, scope and nature of original inquiry should be studied, as if the
study was with different objective then that data is not suitable for current study
3. Adequacy of data- level of accuracy
4. Area differences then data is not adequate for study
Selection of proper method for collection of data
1. Nature, scope and object of inquiry

2. Availability of funds
3. Time factor
4. Precision required
Designing a Survey
Surveys can take different forms. They can be used to ask only one questions or they can ask a series of
questions. We can use surveys to test out people’s opinions or to test a hypothesis
When designing a survey, the following steps are useful:
1. Determine the goal of your survey: what question do you want to answer?
2. Identify the sample population: whom will you interview?
3. Choose an interviewing method: face-to-face interview, phone interview, self- administered paper
survey or internet survey
4. Decide what questions you will ask in what order and how to phrase them. (This is important if
there is more than one piece of information you are looking for)
5. Conduct the interview and collect the information
6. Analyze the results by making graphs and drawing conclusions.
Example
1. Martha wants to construct a survey that shows which sports students at her school like to play the most.
Step 1 list the goal of the survey

Step 2 what population should she interview?
Step 3 how should she administer the survey?
Step 4 create a data collection sheet that she can use to record her results
Tel. No. (036) 6214-578 fax No. (036) 6214-578
Step 1 GOAL
The goal of the survey is to find the answer to the question: “which sports do students at martha’s school
like to play the most?”
Stop 2 POPULATION
A sample of the population would include a random sample of the student population in martha’s school. A
good strategy would be to randomly select students ( using dice or a random number generator) as they walks into
an all- school assembly
Step 3 METHODS
Face-to-face interviews are a good choice in this case. Interviews will be easy to conduct since the survey
consists of only one question which can be quickly answered and recorded, and asking the question face to face
will help eliminate non- response bias
Step 4 DATA
Example
Juan wants to construct a survey that shows how may hours per week the average student at his school
works.
Step 1 list the goal of the survey

Step 2 what population should she interview?
Step 3 how should she administer the survey?
Step 4 create a data collection sheet that she can use to record her results
Step 1 GOAL
The goal of the survey is to find the answer to the question: “how many hours per week do you work?”
Tel. No. (036) 6214-578 fax No. (036) 6214-578
Stop 2 POPULATION
Juan suspects that older students might work more hours per week than younger students. He decides that a
stratified sample of the student population would be appropriate in this case. The strata are grade level 9 th through
12th. He would need to find out what proportion of the students in his school are in each grade level, and then
include the same proportion in his sample.
Step 3 METHODS
Face-to-face interviews are a good choice in this case. Since the survey consists of two short questions
which ca be quickly answered and recorded.
Step 4 DATA
The basis of conducting an experiment

1. With an experiment, the researcher is trying to learn something new about the world, an explanation of
“why” something happens
2. The experiment must maintain internal and external validity, or the result will be useless.
3. When designing an experiment, a researcher must follow all of the steps of the scientific method, from
making sure that the hypothesis is valid and testable, to using controls and statistical tests,

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Republic of the Philippines

CAPIZ STATE UNIVERSITY

Course Title : Engineering Data Analysis

Course Number : Math 224

Total Learning Time : 3 units (3 hours lecture per week)

Pre-requisites : Differential Calculus (Calculus 1)

At the end of this module, the student should be able to:

1. Apply statistical methods in the analysis of data.

Methods of data collection

Factors to be considered before using secondary data

1. Reliability of data- who, when, which methods at what time etc.

Selection of proper method for collection of data

1. Nature, scope and object of inquiry

When designing a survey, the following steps are useful:

Step 1 list the goal of the survey

Step 1 list the goal of the survey

The basis of conducting an experiment

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