MATH 403

ENGINEERING DATA
ANALYSIS

Module 1. Data Collection

and Surveys
1. Data Collection and Surveys
Agenda
1. Methods of Data Collection
2. Planning and Conducting Surveys and Experiments
3. Introduction to Design Experiments
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection
Data gathering
▪ First step in conducting statistical inquiry
▪ Systematic method of collecting and measuring data from different sources of
information in order to provide answers to relevant questions
▪ Involves acquiring information published literature, surveys through questionnaires
or interviews, experimentations, documents and records, tests or examinations and other
forms of data gathering instruments.

Statistics
 Tool for converting data into information
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection
Investigator
▪ Person who conducts the inquiry
▪ The author or researcher of the study to be produced

Enumerator
▪ The one who helps in information collection
▪ Seldom called the surveyor or field surveyor

Respondent
▪ Whom the data or information is collected from
▪ The interviewee or the source of the information
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection
Retrospective Study
▪ This study use the population or sample
of the historical data which had been
archived over some period of time
Prospective Study
▪ Type of longitudinal study where researchers will
follow and observe a group of subjects over a
period of time to gather information and record the
development of outcomes
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection
I. Direct Methods
● Interview
● Observation
● Documentary Analysis
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection
A. Interview
Classified as formal and informal
Formal Interview- the interviewer uses an interview guide or a set of
questions during the interview process
Informal Interview- the researcher is free to ask questions without using
a guide so that there is no limit to the information obtained during the
interview.
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection
B. Observation
Classified as qualitative and quantitative
Qualitative research- usually consist of detailed notation on behavior,
events and context surrounding the events and behavior.
Quantitative research- usually employed to collect data regarding the
number of occurrences in a specific period of time.
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection
C. Documentary Analysis
When the researcher obtains the information directly from the source .
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection
II. Indirect Methods
Indirect methods of data collection involve sourcing and accessing
existing data that were not originally collected for the purpose of the
study. This type of data is known as secondary data.
Ex. School enrolments; hospital admissions; records of births, deaths,
and marriages
 1.1 Methods of Data Collection

III. Experiments
Used when the objective is to determine the cause and effect of a certain phenomenon
under some controlled conditions.
1.2 Planning and Conducting Surveys

Survey
▪ Survey is a method of asking respondents some well-constructed questions
▪ It is an efficient way of collecting information and easy to administer wherein a wide
variety of information can be collected
▪ The researcher can be focused and can stick to the questions that interest him and are
necessary in his statistical inquiry or study
▪ Surveys can be done through face-to-face interviews or self-administered through the use
of questionnaires
1.2 Planning and Conducting Surveys
Designing a Survey
1. Determine the objectives of your survey: What questions do you want to answer?
2. Identify the target population sample: Whom will you interview? Who will be the
respondents? What sampling method will you use?
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.
5. Conduct the interview and collect the information.
6. Analyze the results by making graphs and drawing conclusions.
1.2 Planning and Conducting Surveys
Questionnaire is one of the common sources or method
or gathering data. It can be classified as open-ended and
close-ended.
1.2 Planning and Conducting Surveys
Questionnaire Design
Key Design Principles
1. Keep the questionnaire as short as possible
2. Ask short, simple and clearly worded questions.
3. Start with demographic questions to help respondents get started comfortably
4. Use dichotomous and multiple questions
5. Use open ended questions cautiously
6. Avoid using leading questions
7. Protest a questionnaire on a small number of people.
8. Think about the way you intend to use the collected data when preparing the
questionnaire.
1.2 Planning and Conducting Surveys
Sampling
Strategies which enable a researcher to pick a sub group as a basis for making
judgements about a larger group.

Steps on sampling
1. Identify the population
2. Determine the sample size
3. Select the sample
1.2 Planning and Conducting Surveys
Sample size of the population

1. Slovin’s formula

N=population size
n=sample size
e=margin of error
1.2 Planning and Conducting Surveys
Sample size of the population
2. Gary’s acceptable sample sizes depending on the type of research
a. Descriptive Research – 10% of the population, for smaller population it
should at least be 20%
b. Correlation Research – 30% subjects
c. Causal Comparative Research – 15 subjects per group
d. Experimental Research – 15 subjects per group or 30 subjects per group
1.2 Planning and Conduction of Survey
Sampling Process
▪ Sampling techniques are necessary when choosing respondents
▪ Sampling is the process of selecting units (e.g., people, organizations) from a population
of interest
▪ Sample must be a representative of the target population. The target population is the
entire group a researcher is interested in; the group about which the researcher wishes to
draw conclusions.
▪ There are two ways of selecting a sample: the non-probability sampling and the
probability sampling
1.2 Planning and Conduction of Survey
Sampling Techniques

● Probability Sampling
● Non-probability Sampling
1.2 Planning and Conduction of Survey
Probability sampling
Sampling technique in which every item in a population has
an equal chance of being selected and quantifies as the
sample.
Types of Probability Sampling
1. Simple Random Sampling
2. Systematic Sampling
3. Stratified Random Sampling
4. Cluster Sampling
1.2 Planning and Conduction of Survey
Probability sampling
● Simple random sampling
 Basic sampling technique where a group of subjects (a sample) is selected for study from a larger
group (a population).
 Each individual is chosen entirely by chance and each member of the population has an equal
chance of being included in the sample.
● Systematic sampling
 Is a sampling technique which selects sample units by every kth members of a population after
arranging perhaps alphabetically or other sort.
1.2 Planning and Conduction of Survey
Probability sampling
● Stratified random sampling
 A stratified sample is obtained by taking samples from each stratum or subgroup of a population.
 When a sample is to be taken from a population with several strata, the proportion of each stratum
in the sample should be the same as in the population.
● Cluster sampling
 A sampling technique which occurs when one select the members of a sample in cluster rather
than in using separate individuals.
 Sampling where groups, not individuals, are randomly selected.
1.2 Planning and Conduction of Survey
Non-probability sampling
▪ Non-probability sampling is also called judgment or subjective sampling
▪ This method is convenient and economical, but the inferences made based on the
findings are not so reliable
▪ The most common types of non-probability sampling are the convenience sampling,
purposive sampling and quota sampling.
1.2 Planning and Conduction of Survey
Non-probability sampling
1. Purposive Sampling - sample respondents are selected based on certain criteria laid
down by the researcher.
2. Quota Sampling – method for selecting survey participants that is a non-probabilistic
version of stratified sampling.
3. Convenience Sampling – researcher picks the sample respondents from the
population that he finds convenient to interview due to their availability or
accessibility.
1.3 Introduction to Design Experiments
Design of Experiments
▪ Is a tool to develop an experimentation strategy that maximizes learning using minimum
resources.
▪ Design of Experiments is widely and extensively used by engineers and scientists in
improving existing process through maximizing the yield and decreasing the variability or
in developing new products and processes.
▪ It is a technique needed to identify the "vital factors in the most efficient manner and
then directs the process to its best setting to meet the ever increasing demand for improved
quality and increased productivity.
1.3 Introduction to Design Experiments
Design of Experiments
1.3 Introduction to Design Experiments
Stages to Conduct Design Experiments
1. Describe – identifying objectives and important factors that is relevant in carrying out
the experiment
2. Specify – determining the best setting in accomplishing the objective of the
experiment
3. Design – design model process that will be used in the experiment and conduct initial
run test
4. Collect – generate and record data runs
5. Fit – validate the result of trial thru conducting additional run to confirm if objectives
were achieved
6. Predict – perceive the resulting conclusion from educated guess
Thank You!