Importance of Data in Decision Making and Knowledge Acquisition
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The acquisition of knowledge on its own
starts with the acquisition of data. All
important decisions in life are based on the
information collected on a subject matter.
The quality of decisions taken is a function of
the adequacy and relevance of the
information at our disposal.
The aim of this lecture is to acquaint
participants with the importance of data-
gathering and its utilization in the Federal
Road Safety Corps.
At the end of this lecture, participants should
be able to:
State the classification of data
Mention methods of data collection
List the factors influencing data collection
Itemize the sources and utilization of data in
FRSC
Data is a collection of facts, such as numbers
or measurements and the word data means
information. Strictly speaking, the word “data”
is in the plural (the singular form is “datum”).
However, the word is often used as if it is a
singular noun.
So we commonly say "the data
is
available"
rather than the more correct way "the data
are
available".
Data classification is the categorization of
data for its most effective and efficient use. It
can be classified as follows:
Quantitative data:
This is information obtained
from numeral variables e.g. number of officers
and marshals in a command, age, bills, etc.
Qualitative data:
This is a categorical
measurement expressed not in terms of
numbers, but rather by means of a natural
language description such as names,
characteristics and alpha-numeric ( e.g. vehicle
plate number), gender (male or female), religion
(Christian, Muslim, etc), casualty details (injured
or killed) etc.
Primary data:
This is information collected on
first hand.
Secondary data:
This is a second-hand
information e.g. published data
Discrete data:
These are numerical
observations obtained as whole numbers e.g.
traffic count data, age, etc.
Continuous data:
These are data that can take
any value and they are measured e.g. height,
length etc.
Ungrouped data
: This is a raw data with no
specific arrangement e.g. the final grades of
12 officers in FRSC Academy at the last
officers’ refresher training course. 83, 80, 78,
86, 76,82,78,83,84,90,96,90.
Grouped data
: This is an organized set of
data that is arranged which involves two or
more group.
GRADES
FREQUENCY( NUMBER OF OFFICERS)
75-79 3
80-84 5
85-89
1
90-94
2
95-99
1
TOTAL 12
Data collection is any process of preparing
and collecting data. Inaccurate data collection
can impact the results of a study and
ultimately lead to invalid results.
To obtain information to keep as records.
To make decisions about important issues, or
To pass information on to others.
Direct observation
: Data is collected by
observing and it is the simplest way of
collecting data. Example: We want to know
how many cars pass by a certain point on a
road in a 10-minute interval. Simply stand on
the road and count the cars that pass by in
that interval.
Questionnaire
: This is an instrument
consisting of a series of
questions
for the
purpose of gathering information from
respondents.
Interview
: face-2-face, telephone, and
internet
Registration
Published data:
Federal Office of Statistics
(FOS), Research Institutes, Federal Road
Safety Corps, etc.
The choice of method of data collection is
influenced by the following:
Data collection strategy
Type of variable (discrete/continuous)
Accuracy required
Collection point
Skill of the enumerator
Source of data ( primary/secondary)
Analysis of data is made up of the following
elements:
Data Preparation
Data Tabulation
Data Presentation
Data Analysis
Data gathered from respondents or other
sources of data collection are further
processed as a means of preparing them for
other stages of analysis. Data preparation
includes:
Editing
Coding
This involves the examination of data in order
to detect errors that may cause inconsistency
if they are used for analysis in their original
form. There are two types of editing:
Field editing:
This is a procedure whereby,
the field researcher tries to make his records
complete and correct them. During the
process of data gathering, the researcher may
have written some information in a form
intelligible to him alone or make some
mistakes and omissions in the recording of
the information. Therefore, before he submits
the records or response to the office, he has
to do some field editing.
Central editing:
The objective of central
editing is to ensure maximum consistency in
the information which might create problems
in the analysis and interpretation of the
results. There are four possible errors one
should look out for; arithmetic/numeric
errors, error of transposition, error of
inappropriate response, error of omission.
Most responses in questionnaires are
qualitative and analyzing them quantitatively
requires their being assigned numerals or
some appropriate symbols. Coding enables
the researcher group responses into limited
number of classes or categories.
How would you rate the attitude of FRSC staff
to work?
Very Good Good
Fair
Poor Very Poor
1 2 3
4 5
This is a
Quantitative Type Question (or
Closed Ended Question)
called the
Rating
Scale.
It is one of the most commonly used
methods in management research, and is
particularly useful for measuring affective
issues such as attitude.
Tabulation is the process of treating data for
further analysis by the use of tables. It can be
done by computer or manually.
The software commonly used in computer
analysis of data are SPSS (Statistical Package
for Social Sciences), Microsoft Excel, etc.
Data can be presented using Graphs (Bar, Pie,
Pareto charts, etc), Ratios, Word description
etc.
. In order to use data for the objective of
research, the data has to be reduced to
manageable dimension. There are two types
of data analysis:
Descriptive analysis
Causal analysis
Descriptive Analysis:
This deal with the study
of the distribution of the variables such as;
the profiles of respondents, staff,
organizations etc. Descriptive analysis may
either be
Quantitative or Qualitative
Quantitative Descriptive Analysis
is used to
summarize a mass of information or data
which includes frequency distribution,
measures of central
•
tendency (mean, median and mode) and measures
of dispersion.
•
Qualitative Descriptive Analysis
is used to
verbally summarize the data or information
generated in the research.
For example, O/C drill may choose to summarize
the data on the participation of officers during
the last Officers Refresher Course organized by
school Of
tendency (mean, median and mode) and
measures of dispersion.
Qualitative Descriptive Analysis
is used to
verbally summarize the data or information
generated in the research.
For example, O/C drill may choose to
summarize the data on the participation of
officers during the last Officers Refresher
Course organized by school Of
Physical And Regimental Studies FRSC
Academy Jos by simply stating without any
tables, that out of all the two ranks (ARC and
DRC) that participated in the training, 99%
were ARCs.
This is a descriptive verbal analysis using
some quantitative information and can also
be done using qualitative information by
merely stating that
majority of the participants were ARCs. This
certainly, is not a very neat way of analyzing
data.
Causal Analysis:
This deals with the study of
factors that are responsible for producing
most of the problems.
Pareto Analysis:
The principle states that only
a “vital few” factors are responsible for
producing most of the problem. It is useful in
quality control (i.e.The use of Pareto charts
helps to identify areas
that need to be corrected and efforts will be
made to correct those defects that account
for the largest percentage).
19. Data interpretation is the explanation of
the associations and relationships found in
the data. Having gathered the data through
the different means of data collection,
analyzed them manually or through the use
of computer, the researcher has the
responsibility at this point to use the results
of the analysis to answer research questions
or hypothesis formulated.Conclusion will be
deduced from the findings which must be
relevant to the findings.
ROAD CRASH DATA
: data from road crash is
collected through the following ways:
i. Scene of the crash
ii. Hospital information
iii. Police information
iv. Eye witness account
Details of crash such as the route, vehicle
type, vehicle registration number, number of
passengers, cause of crash, casualty details
(no of persons killed and no of persons
injured), and gender of accident victims are
recorded inside the accident report book
found in various commands. With these data,
crashes can be analyzed and proper decisions
will be taken to forestall further occurrence.
Data of different categories of vehicle are
collected and analyzed which helps to
effectively plan and monitor vehicular density
along a particular road.
These data are collected during patrol and
are recorded daily in the offenders’ registers
which are found in the duty offices of all
commands.
OFFENCE
FORMAT OF NOTICE OF OFFENCE SHEET
OFFENCES
CODE POINTS
PENALTY
Assaulting a Marshal on duty
AMD
3 10,000
Attempting to corrupt a Marshal on duty
ACS
3
10,000
Road signs violation
RSV
2
3,000
Construction area speed limit violation
CASV
2
3,000
21. Traffic offences carry penalty points
against offenders’ license in addition to the
prescribed fines. These points are cumulative
and 21 cumulative point leads to an
endorsement of the offenders’ license (this
means that the details of the offences is
written on the offenders drivers’ license).
After 5 of such endorsement, a drivers license
stands suspended.
This is a way of effectively utilizing data
collected from Road traffic offence as that
would go a long way in curbing Road Traffic
crash on our road.
This is the technology of using unique human
features such as finger prints, eyes, the face,
DNAs, signatures etc for the purpose of
recognizing and verifying peoples identity.
In 2008, FRSC commissioned a review of the
driver’s license scheme and the findings from
these review showed that:
I. Significant number of licenses were forged
Ii. There were possibilities of obtaining license
under different identities.
iii. Inability to track drivers’ license from
training to license issuance.
iv. Inability to effectively monitor drivers’
performance after license issuance.
24. To this effect, data collected through
biometrics is effectively used to combat
crimes.
The ongoing new drivers’ license and vehicle
identification scheme was introduced to
create a reliable database and also ensure
national security. The new robust and
comprehensive database will ensure that
crimes committed with vehicles can be
tracked, insiders abuses are curbed, revenue
losses are eliminated and, the integrity of the
scheme will be enhanced.
Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is
saddled with the responsibility of data
collection on motor vehicles nationwide.
The Central Data Bank (CDB) now
Information Technology Centre (ITC) collates,
stores and analyzes all information on Motor
Vehicle Administration. Information collected
on motor vehicles is sent to ITC on monthly
basis. If information is needed about a
particular vehicle or a driver, it can be
collected from ITC.
There is also data utilization in the various
departments of the corps e.g. It is the work of
AHR in FRSC Head Quarters to know when we are
short of staff. The work of the corps secretary is
to recruit officers and fill up vacancies due to
retirement, resignation or death.
The FRSC also gather data through the Policy
Research and statistics (PRS) for statistical
purposes and this is done on monthly and
quarterly basis.
30. The operation of the Federal Road Safety
Corps is hinged on relevant data which is
used for planning all aspects of road safety
activities. It is worthy of note that no
meaningful decision can be taken without
adequate and reliable data.
Thank you.
1. Hornby AS. Oxford Advanced Learners
Dictionary. 8
th
ed. Oxford University press, 2010.
2. Osita Chidoka OFR Corps Marshal and Chief
Executive, FRSC lecture on Maintaining Efficient
Biometric Data as a tool for fighting Crimes
2012. www.frsc.gov.ng
3. Nnamdi Asika. Research methodology in the
Behavioural Sciences longman, 2008.
4. Anthony Daudu. Unpublished lecture note.
School of Research, Statistics and Strategic
Studies FRSC Academy, Jos 2011
Acquiring knowledge begins with gathering data, which forms the basis of important life decisions. This lecture emphasizes the significance of data collection and utilization in the Federal Road Safety Corps, covering data classification, collection methods, influencing factors, sources, and utilization. Data, whether quantitative or qualitative, primary or secondary, discrete or continuous, plays a crucial role in ensuring informed decision-making.
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Presentation Transcript
The acquisition of knowledge on its own starts with the acquisition of data. All important decisions in life are based on the information collected on a subject matter. The quality of decisions taken is a function of the adequacy and relevance of the information at our disposal.
The aim of this lecture is to acquaint participants with the importance of data- gathering and its utilization in the Federal Road Safety Corps.
At the end of this lecture, participants should be able to: State the classification of data Mention methods of data collection List the factors influencing data collection Itemize the sources and utilization of data in FRSC
Data is a collection of facts, such as numbers or measurements and the word data means information. Strictly speaking, the word data is in the plural (the singular form is datum ). However, the word is often used as if it is a singular noun. So we commonly say "the data is is available" rather than the more correct way "the data are are available".
Data classification is the categorization of data for its most effective and efficient use. It can be classified as follows:
Quantitative data: from numeral variables e.g. number of officers and marshals in a command, age, bills, etc. Qualitative data: measurement expressed not in terms of numbers, but rather by means of a natural language description such as names, characteristics and alpha-numeric ( e.g. vehicle plate number), gender (male or female), religion (Christian, Muslim, etc), casualty details (injured or killed) etc. Quantitative data: This is information obtained Qualitative data: This is a categorical
Primary data: first hand. Secondary data: information e.g. published data Primary data: This is information collected on Secondary data: This is a second-hand
Discrete data: observations obtained as whole numbers e.g. traffic count data, age, etc. Continuous data: any value and they are measured e.g. height, length etc. Discrete data: These are numerical Continuous data: These are data that can take
Ungrouped data specific arrangement e.g. the final grades of 12 officers in FRSC Academy at the last officers refresher training course. 83, 80, 78, 86, 76,82,78,83,84,90,96,90. Grouped data data that is arranged which involves two or more group. Ungrouped data: This is a raw data with no Grouped data: This is an organized set of
GRADES FREQUENCY( NUMBER OF OFFICERS) 75-79 3 80-84 5 85-89 90-94 95-99 TOTAL 12 GRADES FREQUENCY( NUMBER OF OFFICERS) 1 2 1
Data collection is any process of preparing and collecting data. Inaccurate data collection can impact the results of a study and ultimately lead to invalid results.
To obtain information to keep as records. To make decisions about important issues, or To pass information on to others.
Direct observation observing and it is the simplest way of collecting data. Example: We want to know how many cars pass by a certain point on a road in a 10-minute interval. Simply stand on the road and count the cars that pass by in that interval. Direct observation: Data is collected by
Questionnaire consisting of a series of questions for the purpose of gathering information from respondents. Interview internet Registration Published data: (FOS), Research Institutes, Federal Road Safety Corps, etc. Questionnaire: This is an instrument Interview: face-2-face, telephone, and Registration Published data: Federal Office of Statistics
The choice of method of data collection is influenced by the following: Data collection strategy Type of variable (discrete/continuous) Accuracy required Collection point Skill of the enumerator Source of data ( primary/secondary)
Analysis of data is made up of the following elements: Data Preparation Data Tabulation Data Presentation Data Analysis
Data gathered from respondents or other sources of data collection are further processed as a means of preparing them for other stages of analysis. Data preparation includes: Editing Coding
This involves the examination of data in order to detect errors that may cause inconsistency if they are used for analysis in their original form. There are two types of editing: Field editing: the field researcher tries to make his records complete and correct them. During the process of data gathering, the researcher may have written some information in a form intelligible to him alone or make some Field editing: This is a procedure whereby,
mistakes and omissions in the recording of the information. Therefore, before he submits the records or response to the office, he has to do some field editing.
Central editing: editing is to ensure maximum consistency in the information which might create problems in the analysis and interpretation of the results. There are four possible errors one should look out for; arithmetic/numeric errors, error of transposition, error of inappropriate response, error of omission. Central editing: The objective of central
Most responses in questionnaires are qualitative and analyzing them quantitatively requires their being assigned numerals or some appropriate symbols. Coding enables the researcher group responses into limited number of classes or categories.
How would you rate the attitude of FRSC staff to work? Very Good Good 1 2 3 Very Good Good Fair 1 2 3 Fair Poor Very Poor Poor Very Poor 4 5 4 5
This is a Quantitative Type Question (or Closed Ended Question) Scale. methods in management research, and is particularly useful for measuring affective issues such as attitude. Quantitative Type Question (or Closed Ended Question) called the Rating Scale. It is one of the most commonly used Rating
Tabulation is the process of treating data for further analysis by the use of tables. It can be done by computer or manually.
The software commonly used in computer analysis of data are SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences), Microsoft Excel, etc.
Data can be presented using Graphs (Bar, Pie, Pareto charts, etc), Ratios, Word description etc.
. In order to use data for the objective of research, the data has to be reduced to manageable dimension. There are two types of data analysis: Descriptive analysis Causal analysis
Descriptive Analysis: of the distribution of the variables such as; the profiles of respondents, staff, organizations etc. Descriptive analysis may either be Quantitative or Qualitative Quantitative Descriptive Analysis summarize a mass of information or data which includes frequency distribution, measures of central Descriptive Analysis: This deal with the study Quantitative or Qualitative Quantitative Descriptive Analysis is used to
tendency (mean, median and mode) and measures of dispersion. Qualitative Descriptive Analysis is used to verbally summarize the data or information generated in the research. For example, O/C drill may choose to summarize the data on the participation of officers during the last Officers Refresher Course organized by school Of
tendency (mean, median and mode) and measures of dispersion. Qualitative Descriptive Analysis verbally summarize the data or information generated in the research. For example, O/C drill may choose to summarize the data on the participation of officers during the last Officers Refresher Course organized by school Of Qualitative Descriptive Analysis is used to
Physical And Regimental Studies FRSC Academy Jos by simply stating without any tables, that out of all the two ranks (ARC and DRC) that participated in the training, 99% were ARCs. This is a descriptive verbal analysis using some quantitative information and can also be done using qualitative information by merely stating that
majority of the participants were ARCs. This certainly, is not a very neat way of analyzing data. Causal Analysis: factors that are responsible for producing most of the problems. Pareto Analysis: a vital few factors are responsible for producing most of the problem. It is useful in quality control (i.e.The use of Pareto charts helps to identify areas Causal Analysis: This deals with the study of Pareto Analysis: The principle states that only
that need to be corrected and efforts will be made to correct those defects that account for the largest percentage).
19. Data interpretation is the explanation of the associations and relationships found in the data. Having gathered the data through the different means of data collection, analyzed them manually or through the use of computer, the researcher has the responsibility at this point to use the results of the analysis to answer research questions or hypothesis formulated.Conclusion will be deduced from the findings which must be relevant to the findings.
ROAD CRASH DATA collected through the following ways: i. Scene of the crash ii. Hospital information iii. Police information iv. Eye witness account ROAD CRASH DATA: data from road crash is
Details of crash such as the route, vehicle type, vehicle registration number, number of passengers, cause of crash, casualty details (no of persons killed and no of persons injured), and gender of accident victims are recorded inside the accident report book found in various commands. With these data, crashes can be analyzed and proper decisions will be taken to forestall further occurrence.
Data of different categories of vehicle are collected and analyzed which helps to effectively plan and monitor vehicular density along a particular road.
These data are collected during patrol and are recorded daily in the offenders registers which are found in the duty offices of all commands.
OFFENCE FORMAT OF NOTICE OF OFFENCE SHEET OFFENCE FORMAT OF NOTICE OF OFFENCE SHEET OFFENCES OFFENCES CODE POINTS CODE POINTS PENALTY PENALTY Assaulting a Marshal on duty AMD 3 10,000 Attempting to corrupt a Marshal on duty ACS 3 10,000 Road signs violation RSV 2 3,000 Construction area speed limit violation CASV 2 3,000
21. Traffic offences carry penalty points against offenders license in addition to the prescribed fines. These points are cumulative and 21 cumulative point leads to an endorsement of the offenders license (this means that the details of the offences is written on the offenders drivers license). After 5 of such endorsement, a drivers license stands suspended.
This is a way of effectively utilizing data collected from Road traffic offence as that would go a long way in curbing Road Traffic crash on our road.
This is the technology of using unique human features such as finger prints, eyes, the face, DNAs, signatures etc for the purpose of recognizing and verifying peoples identity.
In 2008, FRSC commissioned a review of the driver s license scheme and the findings from these review showed that: I. Significant number of licenses were forged Ii. There were possibilities of obtaining license under different identities. iii. Inability to track drivers license from training to license issuance. iv. Inability to effectively monitor drivers performance after license issuance.
24. To this effect, data collected through biometrics is effectively used to combat crimes.
The ongoing new drivers license and vehicle identification scheme was introduced to create a reliable database and also ensure national security. The new robust and comprehensive database will ensure that crimes committed with vehicles can be tracked, insiders abuses are curbed, revenue losses are eliminated and, the integrity of the scheme will be enhanced.
Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is saddled with the responsibility of data collection on motor vehicles nationwide. The Central Data Bank (CDB) now Information Technology Centre (ITC) collates, stores and analyzes all information on Motor Vehicle Administration. Information collected on motor vehicles is sent to ITC on monthly basis. If information is needed about a particular vehicle or a driver, it can be collected from ITC.
There is also data utilization in the various departments of the corps e.g. It is the work of AHR in FRSC Head Quarters to know when we are short of staff. The work of the corps secretary is to recruit officers and fill up vacancies due to retirement, resignation or death. The FRSC also gather data through the Policy Research and statistics (PRS) for statistical purposes and this is done on monthly and quarterly basis.
