University of the Philippines Visayas

College of Arts and Sciences

DIVISION OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS

STAT 102
Statistical Methods in Research

STUDY GUIDE for WEEKS 2 & 3

Recap.

In Week 1, you learned the different types of research, study designs, uses and misuses of Statistics,
and some basic terms in Statistics. We defined a variable and determined its level of measurement.
Measuring variables yield realized values termed as observations and a collection of these observations
is known as the data. Collecting and extracting information from these data by organizing, analyzing,
interpreting, and presenting it appropriately are the main things we are expected to do in studying
Statistics.

Let’s Begin.

After determining what data to include in a research study, the next question is how to collect these
data. For the next two weeks, we are going to discuss different types and sources of data, data collection
methods, probability and nonprobability sampling methods, and how to organize data in an array and
frequency distributions. The next two weeks should cover two units in our course outline – Data
Collection and Data Organization. After completing this guide, you should be able to meet the following
target learning outcomes:

• Outline the steps involved in a scientific inquiry

• Classify different types of data
• Identify different sources of data
• Distinguish between census and survey
• Differentiate the different methods of data collection such as survey method, observation
method, experimental method, etc.
• Distinguish between probability and non-probability sampling
• Demonstrate the different non-probability sampling procedures.
• Demonstrate the different probability sampling procedures
• Differentiate between array and frequency distribution of any data
• Organize data using a frequency distribution for both numerical and categorical data

Read. Watch.

1. First, read Stat-102-Module-2 and Stat-102-Module-3 which are about data collection, and
data organization, respectively. These modules can be accessed in our LMS under Unit 2 and
3. Take note of the different terms presented and try to differentiate these terms from each
other. It will be better if you write down these terms together with the main words used to
define them.

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material may be subject to copyright infringement under RA 8293.
 2. Watch a YouTube video (9 min) on techniques for random sampling at
https://youtu.be/PdXDLNNXPik. Take note how each probability sampling method is
executed.

3. Read about data collection and organization in chapter 1 of the book (Illosky, B., Dean, S.
2013. Introductory Statistics). This material is available for free at
https://openstax.org/details/books/introductory-statistics.

4. Read on visual representation of sampling methods in (Bar, C., Diez, D., Rundel, M. 2015.
OpenIntro Statistics, 3rd Ed, pp 22-28 ). This is available for free at
https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/openintro-statistics.

Think.

After reading and watching the above materials and to assess your learnings on how to collect statistical
data and organizing it in a frequency distribution, do the following:

1. Answer and submit Assignment 1 by accessing our Stat-102-Assignment-Guide-1 in the LMS.

This assignment will focus on differentiating data collection methods and performing
probability sampling techniques.

2. To have a first-hand experience in constructing a frequency distribution and come up with some
insights from the distribution, answer and submit Assignment 2 by accessing our Stat-102-
Assignment-Guide-2 in the LMS.

3. To further optimize your learning regarding data collection and organization, answer the
following questions and keep your answers in mind. These questions may also be asked in our
discussion forums.

a. Do research outputs have to always rely on first-hand data? What other sources are
available?
b. If estimation is better using probability sampling methods, when do we use non-probability
techniques?
c. How do we know if population subgroups are clusters or strata?
d. What do we do with missing observations? Will these missing observations affect the
integrity of our data?
e. What features/characteristics of the data can we easily see in a frequency distribution?

The University does not authorize you to communicate or reproduce this material. Any distribution or unintended use of this
material may be subject to copyright infringement under RA 8293.
Dig Deeper.

To appreciate more the importance of collecting the data properly, you can do the following in your
free time:
• Look at the main webpage of the 2020 Census on Population and Housing conducted by the
Philippine Statistics Authority at https://psa.gov.ph/population-and-housing.Why are these
national censuses important? What variables are they including? What data collection method
will they use? Is there a sampling method employed?

• Access media releases of the Social Weather Stations (SWS) on surveys they have conducted
at https://www.sws.org.ph/swsmain/home/. What social weather indicators are they studying?
What data collection methods and sampling methods were used? Are there differences in
these methods before and during the pandemic? What things do they usually include in terms
of reporting data collection and sampling methods?

• Check out the biggest Philippine database containing all censuses and surveys, sectoral
statistics, administrative systems, and compilation of national accounts at
http://openstat.psa.gov.ph/.

• Another visual discussion of the sampling techniques are found in

https://www.slideshare.net/NUZHATHALAM.

If you find something interesting and you are curious about, feel free to post it as a discussion topic in
our LMS.

The University does not authorize you to communicate or reproduce this material. Any distribution or unintended use of this
material may be subject to copyright infringement under RA 8293.