Collecting Statistical Data

ALQASIMIA UNIVERSITY
College of Economics and Management

Introduction to Statistics
Collecting Statistical Data
Learning Outcomes
After this lesson, the student will be able to:
1) Collect statistical data from various resources.
2) Distinguish between statistical data types.
3) Apply statistical approach in dealing with statistical phenomena.

Collecting data means obtaining quantitative or descriptive data that is
accurate to the statistical phenomenon over a given period of time.
The right method of data collection
There is no doubt that collecting data in a scientific manner is true,
which leads to accurate results in the analysis. This method can be
determined by the following:
• Items: It is the data to be collected.
• Variables: The data collected about the items.
• Data type: Quantitative or Qualitative data.
• Resources of collecting data.
• Methods of collecting data.
Items and Variables
Example: Registration department at Al-Qasimia University conducted a
study regarding the students. They collected the following data for each
student: nationality, college, age, and cumulative grade. The following is a
sample of student data:
Item Qualitative Variable Quantitative Variable
No Name Nationality College Age GPA

1 Mohammed Ali UAE Islamic Studies 20 2.8
2 Sidi Mohamed EGYPT Economics 25 2.3 Sample
3 Ahmed Ibrahim NIGERIA Media 30 2.9
4 Omar Othman GHANA Arabic Lang 22 3.8
5 Mahmoud Karim ALGERIA Islamic Studies 21 3.6
Sources of Collecting Data
There are different types of collecting data
(1) Internal and external sources
• Internal sources: The sources which prepare the data.
• External sources: The sources which obtain data and at the
same time are not prepared the data.
Example: If we want to collect data from 2000 to 2016 regarding

profit, employee, and sales of listed companies in Stock Market.
These data can be taken directly from the company itself, in which
case we depend on internal data sources. If we go to the Stock
Market, we depend on external data sources.
Sources of Collecting Data
(2) Historical and field sources
Historical sources: The data and statistics published by statistical
agencies or specialized entities in the country.
Example: available data on population, education and economics.
Field sources: In case of data can not be obtained from historical

sources, either because are not available or difficult to obtain or
confidential, or for insufficient data published, the researcher collect
the data by direct observation or by asking questions to the source
of the statement. Data is collected through personal interview,
correspondence and telephone.
Differences between Community and Sample
When conducting a study,
we call the community of
study to express all the
items.
The term "sample" is used
when selecting a particular
part of the study population.
Sample Community
Example: Study on household income in Sharjah

Community: All households living in Sharjah
Sample: may be only 300 families
Methods of collecting data
(1) Census survey
• It means collecting data for all items of community of study.
(2) Sampling method
• It means collecting data for a part of community of study.
comparison Sampling method Census survey
advantages (1) Reduced material and human costs (1) It gives a detailed information of all items of community of study.
(2) Save time and effort relatively. (2) Free of random errors
(3) Free of processing errors.
(4) It helps to further studies and scientific research
disadvantages (1) Bias may occur when the selection of the (1) A relatively large increase in human and material costs
sample makes it does not accurately reflect the (2) More time and effort relatively
Community of study (3) There are processing errors because of considering all items of
(2) There are random errors community of study.
(4) It can not be used in some studies such as the study of birds and
other communities.
Random Errors
• Example: Suppose that community of study consist from five individuals (A
- B – C – D – E). Their lengths as follows: 180, 165, 175, 190, 200 cm. A
sample of 4 individuals was selected. Compare the average of length for
both of community of study and the sample.
Average = summation of values / no. of items
• The average for the community of study = 910 / 5 = 182 cm
• The average for the first sample (A, B, T, W) = 710/4 = 177.5 Random error = - 4.5
• The average for the second sample (A, B, T, C) = 720/4 = 180 Random error = -2
• The average for the third sample (B, T, W, C) = 730/4 = 182.5 Random error = 0.5
• The average for the fourth sample (A, T, W, C) = 735/4 = 183.75 Random error = 1.75
• The average for the fifth sample (A, B, W, C) = 745/4 = 186.25 Random error 4.25
Sources of collecting data
Internal and
Historical and
External
Field resources
resources
Methods of collecting data
Sampling
Census survey
method
Samples
(1) Random Samples
• The method of choice sample items depends on the random or
probability. There are more type of random samples such as:
simple random sample, category random sample, regular
random sampling …etc.
(2) Non-Random Samples

• The method of choice sample items depends on the Personal
judgment
Simple Random Sample
• A simple random sample is selected when all items of community of
study are homogeneous, or have equal opportunities. In other words,
the probability of selecting any sample is equal for all samples to be
selected.
Example: Choose a simple random sample of 4 students from 40

students in statistics course.
Answer
• Community of study: 40 students.
• Sample: 4 students
• As long as the community of study is homogenous, we can randomly
select any four students.
Category Random Sample
• A category random sample is selected when all items of community of study are
heterogeneous.
• Community of study must be divided into categories or homogeneous levels.
• A simple random sample is selected from each category according to the size of each one.
Example: choose a random sample of 30 students of Al-Qasimia University according to the

following data:
• Number of students of college of Sharia and Islamic Studies = 600 students
• Number of students of college of Arts and Humanities = 300 students
• Number of students of college of Communication = 35 students
• Number of students of college of Economics and Management = 65 students
Statistical method of thinking (phases of statistical study(
Identify the Data Data Data

Conclusions
problem collection classification analysis
Statistical method of thinking (phases of statistical study(
(1) Identify the problem: Determine the dimensions of the problem - imagine
possible solutions - identifying data to be obtained
(2) Data collection: Identify data sources - identify data collection methods -
identify possibilities for data collection and equipment.
(3) Data classification: Review the data and processing - determine Data types -
sorting and classification of data in numeric tables and charts.
(4) Data Analysis: Determine the statistical measures (central tendency /
dispersion / correlation / regression analysis) - make the necessary statistical
analyzes by computer applications or manually.
(5) Conclusions: Interpretation of the results obtained and clarify the statistical
significance.
Practical example: levels of students in Al Qasimia University
(1) Identify the (2) Data collection: (3) Data (4) Data
problem: It depends on field classification: Analysis
Determine the sources to collect The arithmetic
levels of students classify the male
data through students mean of
at Al Qasimia
University, Registration descending cumulative GPA
according to the department. will be estimated
according to the
program. The The Method is the for students by
Cumulative GPA Excel.
cumulative GPA census survey.
will be considered
to determine the classify the (5) Conclusions
level of students. (Preferably get this
data in an female students the result will
Period: Fall determine the
semester 2014- electronic version) descending
2015 according to the accurate levels of
Cumulative GPA students.

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ALQASIMIA UNIVERSITY

College of Economics and Management

1) Collect statistical data from various resources.

2) Distinguish between statistical data types.

3) Apply statistical approach in dealing with statistical phenomena.

No Name Nationality College Age GPA

Example: If we want to collect data from 2000 to 2016 regarding

Field sources: In case of data can not be obtained from historical

Example: Study on household income in Sharjah

(2) Non-Random Samples

Example: Choose a simple random sample of 4 students from 40

Example: choose a random sample of 30 students of Al-Qasimia University according to the

Identify the Data Data Data

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