Identify two articles in the University Library: one in which the business problem is researched using a
descriptive statistical method and another using an inferential method.
Summarize each of the data collection instruments, sampling methods, and the statistical methods.
Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you compare and contrast each of the approaches:
�What are the strengths and weaknesses of each sampling approach?
�What are the specific situations in which you would choose to use each of the instruments and
designs?
�What are the strengths and weaknesses of each statistical approach?
�How can they be used most effectively in a combined approach?
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�Which methods are more appropriate for research in your own business and functional area?
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Introduction
Business is often faced with the need to conduct studies towards certain issues.
Research often seeks to increase production, reduce losses, determine new markets, and
improve old products. The methods obtained should give as clear a picture as possible to
determine the most reasonable course of action. The most reliable method should always be
applied to research work if possible.
Data Collection Methods
In statistics, data collection is a vital process. It helps analysts to analyze the data
collected and determine the best possible action. Various data collection methods may be
used. The method used should be based on the data accuracy of data required, the size of the
population and available resources (Good, 2013).
Census
This method involves the collection of all the data available for analysis, and from
the entire population. This method of data collection is very expensive and time consuming
for large populations. It is, however, very accurate as it is capable of reproducing the actual
field data and is unlikely to be biased.
Sample data collection method
This is the collection of data from only a part of the entire population. The data is
then assumed to be representative of the population data. To improve on the level of
accuracy, the data may be stratified so as to ensure that it is representative. A big sample is
also more accurate since it is more inclusive. This method is cheap and less time consuming.
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Administrative method
Sometimes, data is obtained as part of the usual day-to-day activities of the
business. Retail outlets may use the gender, age, marital status and shopping preferences to
their advantage. They may therefore opt to collect this data during the day-to-day running of
their business for their loyal customers. Hospitals on the other hand collect these details as a
part of their business.
Comparison of Data Collection Methods
The most cost effective method of data collection is the administrative method. In
this case, the institution does not have to provide for research to be conducted and the data is
always available. The data collected this way is also reliable due to the trust that is built
between the business and the consumer. Sample method is more effective for large
populations. It is the less time consuming and cheaper than census method. They are however
both more expensive and less reliable than the administrative method.
Sampling Methods
Sampling is the determination of the sample size. It involves both the selection of
the sample size and the members of the samples. A good sample should be such that it is
representative of the actual population. It should also provide as accurate information as
possible. Different methods are used towards this selection.
Random sampling
This is the simplest method of sampling. Each member of the population stands an
equal chance of being selected in the sample. This chance of being selected is usually known
and is mainly dependent on the sample size and the population size. For very large
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populations, the possibility of identifying every member of the population becomes minimal.
This results in a biased sample.
Systematic sampling
This is also referred to as the k-th name selection technique. After the sample size
has been determined, the sample is selected by picking every k-th member of the population.
This method is as workable as random sampling provided that the population does not have
any hidden order. It is easier than random sampling to execute. This method is often used to
select samples from lists or computerized data.
Stratified sampling
This method is favorable to random sampling since it reduces the sample error. It
involves grouping the members of the population into categories according to their
similarities. These groups are known as stratums. Random sampling is then used to select
small samples within these samples. To determine the sample to be selected from each
sample, fractional representation of each subset is considered.
A comparison of Sampling Methods
Random sampling is the most commonly used method of sampling. It is cheaper
than other methods and less time consuming. On average, it is usually representative of the
population. Systematic sampling is as good as random sampling. It however suffers the risk
of having a hidden trend in the sample in which case it often biases the sample. Stratified
sampling is the most representative sampling method. Every member of the population is
adequately represented (Tuggle, 2012).
The article China: Commercial Banking Report, was obtained by the use of
administrative data collection method. Every banking company is required to give their
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financial records to the rightful authorities. The authorities, on the other hand, have a very
easy time getting access that would provide for the composition of this article. The data that
would be required in this case would be Banks’ Bond Portfolios, 2014, Loan/Deposit &
Loan/Asset & Loan/GDP ratios, 2014, Total Assets & Client Loans & Client Deposits
(US$bn), and US$ Per Capita Deposits, 2014. With this information, the rest of the article
can be written (China: Commercial Banking Report, 2014).
The case of the Chinese banks is a unique one. Due to the ease of access to
information, and the small population, it was possible to involve all the banking institutions.
This way, the accuracy of the information was maximised.
The inferential statistical method is used in this case. The data obtained about
specific banks is analysed to determine the economic situation of China. The trends are also
observed and used to obtain forecasts for the industry. Since the data obtained is further
analysed to obtain inferences, the method can only be said to be inferential.
The article The Toyota Group and the Aisin Fire by Toshihiro Nishiguchi and
Alexandre Beaudet, is another unique article. In this case, the information was obtained from
different workers and witnesses of the two companies randomly. In this case, the willingness
to contribute to the research and the possession of information were the only things that
mattered. In this case, the timeline of the events that occurred after the plant was on fire were
the most important. Other data that was collected included the dates of the events, the losses,
and the contributions towards recovery. To substitute the information obtained this way, the
records of the events was also obtained from other sources. Good sources in this case
included other publications, bank records and the information that had been granted to the
authorities (Nishiguchi, & Beaudet, n.d.).
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The sample was selected at random. In this case, all the witnesses that were willing
to divert information were allowed to do so. As mentioned above, to complicate the method
further, the data was compared with other sources so as to obtain the most reliable data. The
statistical method used in this case is descriptive. The information obtained was only
rearranged to presentable form and then granted to the readers. In this case, no inferences are
made. The reader is left to his own devices to make any conclusions where necessary.
The most appropriate sampling method that may be used in the communications
industry, say, to determine the consumption of airtime by mobile phone users, would be
systematic sampling. All customer information is available within databases. It would be
therefore very easy for a statistician to select every k-th consumer and obtain their
consumption information. The information should be used to infer to determine the future of
the industry or to understand consumer-calling habits. Once the habits are obtained, it is
possible to inference towards making use of consumer in formation in terms of encouraging
calls during hours when consumers hardly call and to create new products. The statistical
method that would be most appropriate would therefore be the inferential method (Beaulieu,
2012).
Conclusion
In statistics, it is the role of the statistician to present reliable data. For data to be
termed as reliable, it has to be representative and accurate. The statistician then selects the
methods that are most reliable for his case. He is also challenged to keep the costs and time
used as low as possible since they are often the reason why research is often carried in the
first place. A census is conducted whenever a small population is being analyzed. This
maximizes the accuracy of the information presented. If a census is impossible, other
methods may be used but a high sample size is highly encouraged.
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References
Beaulieu, D. (2012). An Introduction to Sampling in Statistics. New Delhi: World
Technologies.
China: Commercial Banking Report. (2014). China Commercial Banking Report, (2), 1-63.
Good, P. I. (2013). Introduction to Statistics Through Resampling Methods and R. Hoboken,
New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Nishiguchi, T., & Beaudet, A. (n.d.). The Toyota Group and the Aisin Fire | MIT Sloan
Management Review.
Tuggle, L. (2012). An Introduction to Statistics (concepts and Applications). Delhi: Library
Press.
