Collection of Data Test - 19

Sampling error refers to the discrepancy or difference between a sample statistic (e.g., sample mean, sample proportion) and the population parameter (e.g., population mean, population proportion). It arises due to the fact that a sample is only a subset of the entire population, and therefore, the sample statistic may not perfectly represent the true population parameter. Sampling error is a fundamental concept, as it quantifies the uncertainty associated with making inferences about a population based on a sample.

All of the above are qualities that a good questionnaire should ideally possess:

• The number of questions should be minimum: A good questionnaire should aim to be concise and focused, containing only the necessary questions to gather the required information. This helps to minimize respondent fatigue and increases the likelihood of completion.
• The questionnaire should be easy to understand and avoid ambiguous or difficult words: Avoiding ambiguous or difficult words helps to prevent confusion and ensures that respondents can easily comprehend and respond to the questionnaire items.
• The questions should be arranged in order: Starting with general or easy-to-answer questions and gradually progressing to more specific or complex ones can also help maintain respondent engagement and reduce cognitive burden.

External secondary sources of data encompass information obtained from sources outside the organization or research project. This often includes data collected by other entities or organizations and made available to the public, such as data available on the internet.

In the research process, formulating a hypothesis typically comes before selecting the specific tools or methods for conducting the research. A hypothesis guides the researcher's investigation by providing a testable statement or prediction about the relationship between variables. Once the hypothesis is established, researchers then determine the most appropriate research tools and methodologies to collect data that will allow them to test the hypothesis effectively.

Under direct personal interview method of data collection, investigators personally visit the respondents, ask them questions pertaining to the enquiry and collect the desired information. By this method more accurate and reliable data can be obtained as there is face-to-face communication. 

Sampling bias arises when the sampling plan excludes certain members of the target population. It arises when the method of selecting a sample inadvertently excludes certain members of the target population, leading to an inaccurate representation. This exclusion can result from flawed sampling techniques or limitations in accessing certain segments of the population. Consequently, the sample may not reflect the true characteristics of the entire population, compromising the validity of study findings.

A population about which we want to get some information is called target population. It is the specific group or set of individuals that a researcher wants to study or make inferences about. This population is the focus of the research inquiry, and the findings are intended to be generalized to this group.

Sampling involves selecting a subset of individuals or units from a larger population for data collection. One of the main reasons for using sampling is to reduce the resources (such as time and money) needed to collect data while still obtaining reliable information about the population.

In a questionnaire, information is recorded by the informants themselves, as they respond to the questions provided. Whereas, in a schedule (also known as a structured interview or a survey form), information as supplied by the informants is recorded by the enumerators, who fill out the schedule based on the responses provided by the informants during a face-to-face interview or data collection session. 

The data that is collected from the place of origin is known as primary data. Primary data refers to the data collected firsthand from the original source, such as surveys, observations, experiments, or direct measurements. It is data that is gathered specifically for the research or study at hand, directly from the individuals or entities being investigated.