The Statistical Methods of Collecting Data and Information - Essay Example

A parameter is a variable that is constant in a function that determines a certain form of the function, while a statistic is a fact that is a computed fact from a sample. Quantitative data is the kind of data that can be accounted for while categorical data is data which is based on stages. During my data collection process, I usually employ the skills that I have learned earlier to enable me to collect quality and quantifiable data. I am able to use the random sampling method, structured data collection method, I am able to use interviews a method of data collection.

Although, in using the data collection method, I learned that there are different methods which include; the face-to-face interview method whereby I will interview people who I know and the telephone interviews which I do by calling people and asking them questions. I am also able to create questionnaires that I use to collect quality data. From my work experience, I have learned that in creating questionnaires, I have to create short, clear questionnaires that people will be able to understand well and answer without getting bored (Balakrishnan, 18).

For example, a questionnaire about the pedestrian walk buttons found that 77% of the buttons did not work. Statistics has helped me to know how to be able to present extremely complex data in the most suitable graphic, tabular or diagrammatic forms (Balakrishnan, 25). This makes it easier for people to understand easily about the information that has been collected. I am able to analyze the data well and all the research materials that were collected. Statistics has helped me to draw reasonable conclusions about the data and be able to present it well without having complications about the data.

Like the literary digest, the poll received 16,679,583 votes. This gave me discrete data. The checking of car cylinders also is a discrete data collection. When researching about movies it becomes nominal research. When Kennedy was elected president, the percentage was a parameter. The total numbers of the votes that are being cast are continuous since the number of voters will continue to increase. President Kennedy received a total of 34,226,254 votes.