{"id":1123,"date":"2017-01-12T21:27:01","date_gmt":"2017-01-12T21:27:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymakermath4libarts\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=1123"},"modified":"2021-02-06T00:00:09","modified_gmt":"2021-02-06T00:00:09","slug":"putting-it-together-collecting-data","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/chapter\/putting-it-together-collecting-data\/","title":{"raw":"Putting It Together: Collecting Data","rendered":"Putting It Together: Collecting Data"},"content":{"raw":"You\u2019ve been learning about ways to make sense of the overload of data that constantly surrounds you. \u00a0Now that you\u2019ve completed the module, you can better determine how to collect data and determine what the data truly represent.\r\n\r\nAt some point, you have probably been involved in some type of attempt to collect data. \u00a0Perhaps you were asked to take a \u201cquick\u201d survey about your attitude toward some type of political or consumer issue, and you agreed.\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1141\/2017\/03\/31163141\/telephone-158190_1280.png\"><img class=\" wp-image-2441 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1141\/2017\/03\/31163141\/telephone-158190_1280-300x300.png\" alt=\"Sketch of a red rotary phone that looks like it's ringing.\" width=\"318\" height=\"318\" \/><\/a>The survey took longer than promised, but at least you helped the person collect random and unbiased data. Or did you? In order to appreciate the data collected, you need to ask yourself a few questions:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it possible to get a truly random sample from a phone survey?<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the population of the sample?<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are possible sources of bias?<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the data being collected from you a statistic or a parameter? Is it categorical or qualitative?<\/li>\r\n \t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is this an experiment or observational study?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nCalling a list of phone numbers is partly random, but there is potential to leave out part of the population. \u00a0For example, a phone survey misses people who don\u2019t have a landline and use only a cell phone. \u00a0It also misses people who monitor calls and let the answering machine pick up. So the sample you were part of wasn\u2019t truly random.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLet\u2019s consider some of the results, which are mailed to you at a later date. \u00a0The first thing you see is this bar graph. \u00a0What does it suggest?\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2443\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"394\"]<a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1141\/2017\/03\/31164407\/recycle-graph.png\"><img class=\"wp-image-2443\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1141\/2017\/03\/31164407\/recycle-graph-300x278.png\" alt=\"Bar graph is titled \u201cRecycling Efforts\u201d. The x-axis shows values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 whereas the y-axis extends from 0 to 12. The y-axis is labeled \u201cNumber of Respondents\u201d. The bar at 1 has a height of 9. The bar at 2 has a height of 8. The bar at 3 has a height of 10. The bar at 4 has a height of 6. The bar at 5 has a height of 4.\" width=\"394\" height=\"365\" \/><\/a> 1= never, 5= as much as possible[\/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen you look closely, you notice that the data does not indicate a specific quantitative amount, like how many times a week the respondent recycles. The survey instead takes qualitative data - self-reflection about likeliness to recycle - and quantifies that information on a scale of 1 to 5.\r\n\r\nYou can also determine\u00a0that the majority of\u00a0respondents think they recycle less than, or equal to average. It also shows that the category selected by the most survey-takers is 3, halfway between recycling as much as possible and never recycling. But is this what the general public truly thinks about recycling?\r\n\r\nTo find out, you need to take this research into your hands by considering additional methods of data collection. \u00a0If you are interested in qualitative data, you must be prepared for a little more time-consuming research. \u00a0The main methods of conducting this research involve individual interviews, focus groups, and direct observation. \u00a0Maybe you might ask people at random around town. \u00a0Or you might prefer quantitative data, and count the number of recycle bins placed outside homes on the proper day. \u00a0But be careful not to bias your results. \u00a0If you include data collected in a town that does not have recycling pickup, you will most likely obtain different results than in an area where recycling pickup is easy\u00a0and free.\r\n\r\nCollecting unbiased, useful data is a challenging task. \u00a0You must always be sure to take possible errors into account and design your data collection method to minimize them. \u00a0How would you design a method to collect data about society\u2019s dedication to recycling?","rendered":"<p>You\u2019ve been learning about ways to make sense of the overload of data that constantly surrounds you. \u00a0Now that you\u2019ve completed the module, you can better determine how to collect data and determine what the data truly represent.<\/p>\n<p>At some point, you have probably been involved in some type of attempt to collect data. \u00a0Perhaps you were asked to take a \u201cquick\u201d survey about your attitude toward some type of political or consumer issue, and you agreed.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1141\/2017\/03\/31163141\/telephone-158190_1280.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-2441 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1141\/2017\/03\/31163141\/telephone-158190_1280-300x300.png\" alt=\"Sketch of a red rotary phone that looks like it's ringing.\" width=\"318\" height=\"318\" \/><\/a>The survey took longer than promised, but at least you helped the person collect random and unbiased data. Or did you? In order to appreciate the data collected, you need to ask yourself a few questions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is it possible to get a truly random sample from a phone survey?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the population of the sample?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What are possible sources of bias?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is the data being collected from you a statistic or a parameter? Is it categorical or qualitative?<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Is this an experiment or observational study?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Calling a list of phone numbers is partly random, but there is potential to leave out part of the population. \u00a0For example, a phone survey misses people who don\u2019t have a landline and use only a cell phone. \u00a0It also misses people who monitor calls and let the answering machine pick up. So the sample you were part of wasn\u2019t truly random.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s consider some of the results, which are mailed to you at a later date. \u00a0The first thing you see is this bar graph. \u00a0What does it suggest?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_2443\" style=\"width: 404px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1141\/2017\/03\/31164407\/recycle-graph.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2443\" class=\"wp-image-2443\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1141\/2017\/03\/31164407\/recycle-graph-300x278.png\" alt=\"Bar graph is titled \u201cRecycling Efforts\u201d. The x-axis shows values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 whereas the y-axis extends from 0 to 12. The y-axis is labeled \u201cNumber of Respondents\u201d. The bar at 1 has a height of 9. The bar at 2 has a height of 8. The bar at 3 has a height of 10. The bar at 4 has a height of 6. The bar at 5 has a height of 4.\" width=\"394\" height=\"365\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-2443\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">1= never, 5= as much as possible<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>When you look closely, you notice that the data does not indicate a specific quantitative amount, like how many times a week the respondent recycles. The survey instead takes qualitative data &#8211; self-reflection about likeliness to recycle &#8211; and quantifies that information on a scale of 1 to 5.<\/p>\n<p>You can also determine\u00a0that the majority of\u00a0respondents think they recycle less than, or equal to average. It also shows that the category selected by the most survey-takers is 3, halfway between recycling as much as possible and never recycling. But is this what the general public truly thinks about recycling?<\/p>\n<p>To find out, you need to take this research into your hands by considering additional methods of data collection. \u00a0If you are interested in qualitative data, you must be prepared for a little more time-consuming research. \u00a0The main methods of conducting this research involve individual interviews, focus groups, and direct observation. \u00a0Maybe you might ask people at random around town. \u00a0Or you might prefer quantitative data, and count the number of recycle bins placed outside homes on the proper day. \u00a0But be careful not to bias your results. \u00a0If you include data collected in a town that does not have recycling pickup, you will most likely obtain different results than in an area where recycling pickup is easy\u00a0and free.<\/p>\n<p>Collecting unbiased, useful data is a challenging task. \u00a0You must always be sure to take possible errors into account and design your data collection method to minimize them. \u00a0How would you design a method to collect data about society\u2019s dedication to recycling?<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-1123\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Putting It Together: Collecting Data. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><li>Recycling Efforts Bar Graph. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: Christine Caputo for Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Red phone ringing. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/en\/telephone-phone-old-ringing-red-158190\/\">https:\/\/pixabay.com\/en\/telephone-phone-old-ringing-red-158190\/<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/about\/cc0\">CC0: No Rights Reserved<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":19,"menu_order":14,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Red phone ringing\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/en\/telephone-phone-old-ringing-red-158190\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc0\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Putting It Together: Collecting Data\",\"author\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Recycling Efforts Bar Graph\",\"author\":\"Christine Caputo for Lumen Learning\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"eae774f8-a155-40bf-8913-c767d338966d","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-1123","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry"],"part":299,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1123","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1123\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2493,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1123\/revisions\/2493"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/299"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/1123\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=1123"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=1123"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/slcc-mathforliberalartscorequisite\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=1123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}