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Topic 2 Data and Sources of Data

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13 views4 pages

Topic 2 Data and Sources of Data

Uploaded by

essieiswan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2.0.

Topic 2: Data

Welcome to this topic, learners. In the previous topic you learnt about statics and sources of
knowledge. In this topic, you will learn about the16
meaning of data, sources and types of data.
2.1. Objectives

By the end of this topic you should be able to:


 Define data
 Identify types and sources of data
 List advantages and disadvantages of each type of data

2.2 This topic consists of two sections namely;


Section 1: Definition of data
Section 2: Types and sources of data

Let us discuss each one of them in details

2.2.1 Definition of Data


Data is plural and datum is singular. Data is any information recorded for purposes of
analysis and decision making. This includes: police OB, physicians notes, marks scored
by students in a test etc.

2.2.2 Sources of Data


There are two categories or sources of data namely primary and secondary. Primary data
is the data obtained by the researcher or the assistants from the field. This includes
questionnaires, interviews observation schedule etc.

Secondary data is that which was collected by someone else for a purpose different from
that of the current researcher. It includes information from books, journals, internet etc.

2.2.3 Types of Data


Data whether primary or secondary, can either be quantitative or qualitative
acer in nature.
Quantitative data is data that has numerical value .e.g. number of children in 00:14:38
2017-02-10 a family,
scores in a test, or amount of rainfall per month. --------------------------------------------

Quantitative data may be divided into discrete and continuous data, individuals are people or objects
where discrete is
involved in study. Variables are
quantitative data that assumes exact values e.g. children in a family,characteristic
number of cars,
to be observed in
chairs etc. Continuous data is that which assumes values within a certain range. They or
the individual areobject e.g. the
color of persons eye the height of
not exact, e.g. weight, height, amount of sugar etc.

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Qualitative data is data without numerical value, e.g. body complexion, party affiliation
e.g. Democrat, Republican, ODM, WIPER, or TNA, place of birth, etc.

? What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of primary and or secondary data in
decision making process?

2.2.4 Summary Topic 2

In this topic, you have learnt about ……………………………………………..

2.2.5. In Sections 1 and 2 of this topic, you were introduced to the concept of data,
sources and types of data

Learners are encouraged to make use of other sources particularly the internet for
any other supplementary information on the topic.

Learning outcomes
You have now completed this topic and the learning outcomes are listed below. Put a tick
in the column which reflects your understanding.

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No. Learning Outcome Sure Not Sure

1. I can now define data

2. I can now define and give examples of


different types of data

3. I can now identify and list sources of data

If you have put a tick at the ‘not’ sure column, please go back and study that section in the topic before
proceeding. If you have ticked ‘sure’ in all the columns you are ready for the next topic. Congratulations!
You can move to the next topic.

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