Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes how statistics were historically utilized by rulers?
Which of the following best describes how statistics were historically utilized by rulers?
- To track trade routes and establish economic policies.
- To make crucial decisions regarding wars and manage tax collection. (correct)
- To predict weather patterns for agricultural planning.
- To study population health and implement public health initiatives.
How did Croxton and Cowden define the term 'Statistics'?
How did Croxton and Cowden define the term 'Statistics'?
- Statistics may rightly be called the science of averages.
- The scientific method for collecting, organizing, presenting, summarizing, analyzing and interpreting data.
- The science which deals with methods of collecting and classifying data.
- The collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data. (correct)
In what capacity are statistical applications most beneficial to industries?
In what capacity are statistical applications most beneficial to industries?
- In monitoring stock prices.
- In determining employee satisfaction rates exclusively.
- In daily operations, expenditure mitigation, and profit sharing. (correct)
- In strategic planning and forecasting only
What is the primary role of statistics in commerce and accounts?
What is the primary role of statistics in commerce and accounts?
Why is collecting primary data important for a company considering launching a new product?
Why is collecting primary data important for a company considering launching a new product?
A student is researching the impact of social media on teenagers' self-esteem. Which data type would original interviews and surveys conducted by the student represent?
A student is researching the impact of social media on teenagers' self-esteem. Which data type would original interviews and surveys conducted by the student represent?
What is the defining characteristic of data in a discrete series?
What is the defining characteristic of data in a discrete series?
In the context of data collection, what is the most significant risk associated with failing to plan adequately?
In the context of data collection, what is the most significant risk associated with failing to plan adequately?
Why is it important to clearly define the statistical unit of data collection?
Why is it important to clearly define the statistical unit of data collection?
What is the key difference between the census and sampling methods of data collection?
What is the key difference between the census and sampling methods of data collection?
Before starting data collection, what should a researcher determine to ensure a reasonable accuracy level?
Before starting data collection, what should a researcher determine to ensure a reasonable accuracy level?
What role do pre-tests play in primary data collection when using questionnaires?
What role do pre-tests play in primary data collection when using questionnaires?
Why is it important to perform regular field checks during the data collection process?
Why is it important to perform regular field checks during the data collection process?
When facing uncooperative respondents during data collection, what approach ensures that bias doesn't creep in?
When facing uncooperative respondents during data collection, what approach ensures that bias doesn't creep in?
Which of the following scenarios is best addressed through the method of observation?
Which of the following scenarios is best addressed through the method of observation?
What advantage does observation provide over other methods in data collection?
What advantage does observation provide over other methods in data collection?
What is a major limitation of using the observation method for data collection?
What is a major limitation of using the observation method for data collection?
In the context of personal interviews, what makes structured interviews particularly useful for large-scale studies?
In the context of personal interviews, what makes structured interviews particularly useful for large-scale studies?
What is a key advantage of conducting personal interviews via phone or video call?
What is a key advantage of conducting personal interviews via phone or video call?
What is a primary disadvantage of the personal interviewing method?
What is a primary disadvantage of the personal interviewing method?
When conducting interviews, why is it important for interviewers to be trained and aware of the research objectives?
When conducting interviews, why is it important for interviewers to be trained and aware of the research objectives?
What makes the use of local sources advantageous in data collection?
What makes the use of local sources advantageous in data collection?
What is a potential drawback of relying on local agents and correspondents for data collection?
What is a potential drawback of relying on local agents and correspondents for data collection?
What is the primary advantage of using questionnaires in primary data collection?
What is the primary advantage of using questionnaires in primary data collection?
What is a limitation of the questionnaire method in data collection?
What is a limitation of the questionnaire method in data collection?
To ensure that a questionnaire is effectively designed, what element should be incorporated?
To ensure that a questionnaire is effectively designed, what element should be incorporated?
What is the primary purpose of including an introductory letter with a questionnaire?
What is the primary purpose of including an introductory letter with a questionnaire?
When ordering questions in a questionnaire, what order will help respondents stay attentive and provide quality answers?
When ordering questions in a questionnaire, what order will help respondents stay attentive and provide quality answers?
What should researchers consider to ensure objectivity when wording questions in a questionnaire?
What should researchers consider to ensure objectivity when wording questions in a questionnaire?
What is the main benefit of conducting a pilot survey before distributing a questionnaire?
What is the main benefit of conducting a pilot survey before distributing a questionnaire?
What distinguishes the schedule method from the questionnaire method in data collection?
What distinguishes the schedule method from the questionnaire method in data collection?
Why is close supervision and random field checks important when using enumerators?
Why is close supervision and random field checks important when using enumerators?
Which data collection challenge does the scheduling method address, unlike the questionnaire method?
Which data collection challenge does the scheduling method address, unlike the questionnaire method?
Before tabulating primary data, why is it necessary to scrutinize that data?
Before tabulating primary data, why is it necessary to scrutinize that data?
While scrutinizing primary data, what steps should be taken if a respondent has provided inconsistent answers?
While scrutinizing primary data, what steps should be taken if a respondent has provided inconsistent answers?
How should a researcher address non-homogenous data during scrutiny?
How should a researcher address non-homogenous data during scrutiny?
What is the initial step in collecting secondary data for research?
What is the initial step in collecting secondary data for research?
What should a researcher do after compiling secondary data from multiple sources?
What should a researcher do after compiling secondary data from multiple sources?
Which of the following would be classified as an unpublished source of secondary data?
Which of the following would be classified as an unpublished source of secondary data?
Before using secondary data, why should researchers evaluate the source's reliability?
Before using secondary data, why should researchers evaluate the source's reliability?
When evaluating the suitability of secondary data, what aspect should researchers primarily focus on?
When evaluating the suitability of secondary data, what aspect should researchers primarily focus on?
Flashcards
Definition of Statistics
Definition of Statistics
The scientific method for collecting, organizing, presenting, summarizing, analyzing, and interpreting data.
Primary data
Primary data
Data collected directly from the source by investigators through methods like observations, interviews, and surveys.
Discrete Series
Discrete Series
Data that is presented or listed in a logical order, values of a variable are in a discontinuous manner along with their frequencies.
Continuous Series
Continuous Series
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Observation method
Observation method
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Personal interviews
Personal interviews
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Local sources
Local sources
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Questionnaire
Questionnaire
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Schedule method
Schedule method
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Scrutiny of Primary Data
Scrutiny of Primary Data
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Secondary data
Secondary data
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Published sources
Published sources
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Unpublished sources
Unpublished sources
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Precautions in Using Secondary Data
Precautions in Using Secondary Data
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Factors affecting the choice of data
Factors affecting the choice of data
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Study Notes
- Statistics finds broad application across Theoretical and applied areas like Agriculture, Industry, Sports, Medicine and Business Analytics
Definition of Statistics
- Statistics involves the collecting, organizing, presenting, summarizing, analyzing, and interpreting of data.
- A.L. Bowley: "Statistics may rightly be called the science of average."
- Seligman: "Statistics is the science which deals with the methods of collecting, classifying, presenting, comparing and interpreting numerical data collected to throw some light on any sphere of inquiry.”
- Croxton and Cowden: "The collection, presentation, analysis, and interpretation of numerical data is known as Statistics".
Importance and Scope of Statistics
- Industries use statistics in daily operations, from large to small organizations, to mitigate expenditure and ensure fair profit distribution.
- Policy Planning utilizes statistics with previous and forecasted data to best utilize policy.
- Management analyses statistics to view work aspects, employee well-being, and organizational progress.
- Commerce and Accounts uses statistics for cost and benefit analysis to regulate money for maximum profit with minimum cost, effectively managing funds.
Primary Data
- Data is required in every walk of life.
- The most accurate and suitable data that can be collected is primary data.
- Primary data is collected by investigators directly from the source by conducting an observation, personal interviews, surveys, etc
Sources of Primary Data:
- Market Research: Investigators gather data from consumers, suppliers, wholesalers, manufacturers, etc., by interviewing, surveying, and other means to meet the researches demands.
- Student Thesis: Students use primary data for academic research that is unique to their field and objectives.
- Trauma Survivors: Researchers collect data by observing, talking to, and surveying survivors, which helps understand their psyche, inform policy, and aid therapists.
Statistical Series
- When systematic data is then presented or listed in a logical order
- Discrete Series: Values of a variable are discontinuous along with their frequencies
- Continuous Series: Series is derived from continuous variables and these variables are the form of class intervals
Problems in Collecting Primary Data
- Failing to plan can jeopardize data collection.
- Define the unit of data to be gathered.
- Chosen technique is a massive influencing factor.
- Develop a sample frame.
- Decide the accuracy level desired.
- Design the form with research objectives, scope, cultural factors, etc in mind
- A well-equipped and trained staff ensure accurate data collection.
- Perform field checks regularly and make sure roles are being fulfilled.
- Unexpected problems might arise and a plan should be in place.
Methods of Collecting Primary Data
- Observation: Investigators systematically collect data through observation, accurately recording phenomena firsthand. There are types of observations - participant and non-participant observation.
- Personal Interviews: Investigators collect data by personally interviewing subjects using a questionnaire or form.
Advantages of personal interview
- interviewer can gain the trust of the respondents with this method and they will be more willing to answer deeply personal questions with this method.
- Interviewer can draft the questions he is going to ask carefully.
- Interviewer can get additional information from the respondents which might prove useful when interpreting and analyzing the data later on.
- Disadvantages of personal interview
- Bias
- Respondents might not answer truthfully as they might distrust the interviewer.
- Time taking method.
- Precautions with personal interviews.
- Details of research objectives.
- Identify the persons that you will interview.
- Trained interviewers
- Local Sources: They delegate the task to local agents and correspondents, which is useful to use when there is a lot of ground to be covered
- Questionnaire: A set of questions prepared with the research objective in mind.
- Schedule: Like a questionnaire, but an enumerator fills it out
Choice of Method for Data Collection
- Research objectives
- Scope of the inquiry
- Financial resources available
- Manpower available
- Time constraints
- Desired level of accuracy
- Other relevant factors
Scrutiny of Primary Data:
- Done to ensure Primary data is ordinarily collected with the help of questionnaires or schedules. Once you have collected the primary data, you should scrutinize it before tabulating it. data that is complete, consistent, accurate, and homogenous
Secondary Data
- Data collected from existing sources like reports and studies.
- Economical and time saving compared to primary data, as it leverages existing research.
Collecting Secondary Data:
- Identify the field of research.
- Identify the possible data sources.
- Collect the relevant data.
- Compare data from different sources.
- Analyze collected data for suitability.
Sources of Secondary Data
- Published sources are available in the public domain by Government, Semi-Government, and Private bodies.
- Unpublished sources are materials that are not published anywhere such as Diaries, private letters, etc.
Precautions for using Secondary Data
- You should find out the reputation of the publication and the data published by the Government can be trusted.
- Ensure data suitability for the study, considering nature, scope and research objectives.
- Gauge the adequacy of the data for the inquiry's scope.
Advantages of using Secondary Data
- More economical and can be collected from data that has already been collected
- It is less time consuming to collect the data and you can complete your research early with the help of secondary data.
- Aids difficult research such as the collection of global statistics.
- Offers valuable insights by seeing the line of inquiry you are using for reference.
Disadvantages of using Secondary Data
- Data may be risky since it has been collected by a third party who may have been inaccurate.
- May not be suitable for your research.
- Potential for inaccuracies and biases exist
- It’s not always available for the subject at hand
Factors affecting the choice of data
- Research objectives
- Scope
- Financial resources
- Time
- Investigating agency
- Human resources
- Availability of data
- Accuracy
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