Data- the information the researcher obtains from the subjects of the study. Data Gathering - the process of collecting information through interviews, questionnaires, observations, experimentations, testing and other methods. Data processing- the conversion of data, especially categorical data into numerical symbols so that they can be read, analyzed and stored in the computer. Data presentation – It deals with translating information into numerical or quantitative data by using tables, figures and graphs. This will make the information easier to handle and grasp. Data analysis – It is the application of statistical tools/ tests appropriate for the type of collected and for the nature of the problem under investigation. Data interpretation – It comes after the result of data analysis are found out. This includes giving meaning to the statistical values obtained and relating the findings to the existing theories and earlier studies in the area.
Population refers to a concept applied to any finite or infinite collection of individuals. It is a well-defined group of individuals, animals, happenings, observation, etc.
It also refers to the group whom the researcher is interested in studying and to whom the results of the study are intended to apply.
3 kinds of Population
1. Finite population – this is a kind of population where the elements are countable even if the exact number is not known to the statistician
2. Infinite population – this kind of population consist of an endless number of elements like all the possible values resulting from a continous process of coin tossing or die throwing.
3. Hyphothetical population – this kind of population has no real existence. It has only been imagined and figured out by the mathematicians to be generated by the repetition of events of a certain type.
Sampling – It is a part of a whole.
- It is a group in a research study on which information is obtained.
- It is a subset of a population
What is Statistics?
In plural sense- refers to any group of numerical or quantitative data.
Example:
births, deaths, and marriages found in the civil registry data
on production, employment, sales, prices found in magazines and newspapers
school records on enrolment, dropouts, failures and graduates
number of decided and undecided cases in court records and many more
In singular sense- a branch in mathematics or a science that deals with methods of gathering (collection), processing, presentation, and analysis, and interpretation of numerical/ quantitative data.
