DATA COLLECTION

AND SAMPLING
TECHNIQUES
David Rafael B. Rabulan, RMT
 Points to discuss

1 2 3 4 5
Define what is Describe the various Explain the sampling Calculate sample
Introduction
methods of data
data collection methods and techniques size
collection

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Introduction
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. The data
collection component of research is common to all fields of
study including physical and social sciences, humanities,
business, etc. While methods vary by discipline, the emphasis
on ensuring accurate and honest collection remains the same.

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The importance of ensuring
accurate and appropriate data
collection.
Regardless of the field of study or
preference for defining data
(quantitative, qualitative), accurate
data collection is essential to
maintaining the integrity of
research. Both the selection of
appropriate data collection
instruments (existing, modified, or
newly developed) and clearly
delineated instructions for their
correct use reduce the likelihood of
errors occurring.
Consequences from improperly collected data

• inability to answer research questions accurately

• inability to repeat and validate the study
• distorted findings resulting in wasted resources
• misleading other researchers to pursue fruitless avenues of investigation
• compromising decisions for public policy
• causing harm to human participants and animal subjects

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Sampling techniques
 Methods of Data Collection
1. Observation - one way to collect primary data. Observation is a
purposeful, systematic and selective way of watching and listening to an
interaction or phenomenon as it takes place.

• Participant observation is when the researcher, participate in the activities

of the group being observed in the same manner as its members, with or
without their knowing that they are being observed.
• Non-participant observation is when a researcher, does not get involved
in the activities of the group but remain a passive observer, watching and
listening to its activities and drawing conclusions from this.

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 Methods of Data Collection
2. Interview - a commonly used method of collecting information from
people. In many walks of life we collect information through different
forms of interaction with others.

• Unstructured Interviews the strength of unstructured interviews is the almost complete

freedom they provide in terms of content and structure. You are free to order these in
whatever sequence you wish. You also have complete freedom in terms of the
wording you use and the way you explain questions to your respondents.
• Structured interviews In a structured interview the researcher asks a predetermined set
of questions, using the same wording and order of questions as specified in the
interview schedule. [An interview schedule is a written list of questions, open ended
or closed, prepared for use by an interviewer in a person- to-person interaction (this
may be face to face, by telephone or by other electronic media).]
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 Methods of Data Collection
3. Questionnaire - is a written list of questions, the answers to which are
recorded by respondents. In a questionnaire respondents read the questions,
interpret what is expected and then write down the answers. Questionnaires
are text-based instruments and may be administered face to face, by proxy,
through the mail, or over the Internet. Similar to interviews, questionnaires
vary as to whether questions are structured or unstructured.

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 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
A sample is a subset of individuals from a larger population. Sampling
means selecting the group that you will actually collect data from in your
research.

In statistics, sampling allows you to test a hypothesis about the

characteristics of a population. Samples are used to make inferences about
populations. Samples are easier to collect data from because they are
practical, cost-effective, convenient and manageable.

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 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
To draw valid conclusions from your results, you have to carefully decide
how you will select a sample that is representative of the group as a whole.
There are two types of sampling methods:

• Probability sampling involves random selection, allowing you to make

statistical inferences about the whole group.

• Non-probability sampling involves non-random selection based on

convenience or other criteria, allowing you to easily collect initial data.

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SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
Population vs sample
First, you need to understand the difference between a population and a
sample, and identify the target population of your research.

• The population is the entire group that you want to draw conclusions
about.

• The sample is the specific group of individuals that you will collect data
from.

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 SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
Sampling frame
The sampling frame is the actual list of individuals that the sample will be
drawn from. Ideally, it should include the entire target population (and
nobody who is not part of that population).

Sample size
The number of individuals in your sample depends on the size of the
population, and on how precisely you want the results to represent the
population as a whole.

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1. PROBABILITY SAMPLING
METHODS
Probability sampling means that every member of the population has a
chance of being selected. It is mainly used in quantitative research. If you
want to produce results that are representative of the whole population,
you need to use a probability sampling technique.

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1. PROBABILITY SAMPLING
METHODS
• Simple random sampling every member of the population has an equal
chance of being selected. Your sampling frame should include the whole
population. To conduct this type of sampling, you can use tools like random
number generators or other techniques that are based entirely on chance.

• Systematic sampling is similar to simple random sampling, but it is usually

slightly easier to conduct. Every member of the population is listed with a
number, but instead of randomly generating numbers, individuals are chosen at
regular intervals.

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1. PROBABILITY SAMPLING
METHODS
• Stratified sampling involves dividing the population into subpopulations that may differ in
important ways. It allows you draw more precise conclusions by ensuring that every subgroup
is properly represented in the sample. To use this sampling method, you divide the population
into subgroups (called strata) based on the relevant characteristic (e.g. gender, age range,
income bracket, job role). Based on the overall proportions of the population, you calculate
how many people should be sampled from each subgroup. Then you use random or systematic
sampling to select a sample from each subgroup.

• Cluster sampling also involves dividing the population into subgroups, but each subgroup
should have similar characteristics to the whole sample. Instead of sampling individuals from
each subgroup, you randomly select entire subgroups.

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 2. NON-PROBABILITY
SAMPLING METHODS
In a non-probability sample, individuals are selected based on non-random
criteria, and not every individual has a chance of being included. This type of
sample is easier and cheaper to access, but it has a higher risk of sampling
bias, and you can’t use it to make valid statistical inferences about the whole
population. Non-probability sampling techniques are often appropriate for
exploratory and qualitative research. In these types of research, the aim is not
to test a hypothesis about a broad population, but to develop an initial
understanding of a small or under-researched population.

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 2. NON-PROBABILITY
SAMPLING
• Convenience METHODS
sample simply includes the individuals who happen to be most accessible to the
researcher. This is an easy and inexpensive way to gather initial data, but there is no way to tell if
the sample is representative of the population, so it can’t produce generalizable results.

• Voluntary response sampling similar to a convenience sample, a voluntary response sample is

mainly based on ease of access. Instead of the researcher choosing participants and directly
contacting them, people volunteer themselves (e.g. by responding to a public online survey).
Voluntary response samples are always at least somewhat biased, as some people will inherently
be more likely to volunteer than others.

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 2. NON-PROBABILITY
SAMPLING
select METHODS
• Purposive sampling, this type of sampling involves the researcher using their judgement to
a sample that is most useful to the purposes of the research. It is often used in qualitative
research, where the researcher wants to gain detailed knowledge about a specific phenomenon
rather than make statistical inferences. An effective purposive sample must have clear criteria
and rationale for inclusion.

• Snowball sampling, if the population is hard to access, snowball sampling can be used to
recruit participants via other participants. The number of people you have access to “snowballs”
as you get in contact with more people.

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 SLOVIN’S
FORMULA
The formula (sometimes written as Sloven’s formula)
was formulated by Slovin in 1960.

If you take a population sample, you must use a formula

to figure out what sample size you need to take. The
problem with taking a sample of the population is
sample size. The error tolerance, e, can be given to you
(for example, in a question). If you’re a researcher you
might want to figure out your own error tolerance; Just
subtract your confidence level from 1.

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Thank you
David Rafael B. Rabulan, RMT