CHAPTER 9

Collecting and recording

quantitative data

Learning outcomes• Consider how quantitative data can contribute

to your investigation• Discuss different types and purposes of surveys• Design and evaluate an effective survey

instrument• Collect, organise and store quantitative data

effectively• Describe and present a summary of the data

you have collected

Collecting and recording quantitative data

Influences on sample size

The sample selection process

• Simple random sampling

• Systematic sampling

• Stratified sampling

• Cluster sampling

Sample selection methods

Open or closed questions

Nominal scale data• Category scales • Biographical/situational data (eg gender,

business unit)

Ordinal scale data• Shows greater or lesser amounts of something• ‘Distance’ between points is not necessarily

equal

Interval scale data• Distance between points is known and the

intervals represent equal quantities

Ratio scale data• Measurements with a ‘zero’ (eg time, test

scores)

Question structure

• Initial request/instructions

• Questionnaire layout/appearance

• Survey questions

– clear for respondents

– logical sequence

• Final thanks/return arrangements

Effective survey design

• General layout and features

• Page/screen features

• Buttons/check boxes

• Drop-down boxes

• Text input options

• Confidentiality/anonymity

Web-based survey design

Web-based survey: simple matrix structure

Stages in survey design and distribution

Options:

– Postal, self-administered

– Delivery and collection questionnaire

– Telephone interview

– Face-to-face interview

– Email survey

– Web-based survey

Administering and delivering surveys

Collecting and organising data

Data display

Normal curve of distribution