Lesson Notes By Weeks and Term v4 - JHS 1

Lesson Video

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Performance objectives

• Identify different methods of collecting data.
• Justify the choice of a data collection method.
• Collect data using a selected method.
• Analyze data to draw conclusions.

Lesson summary

This lesson introduces the fundamental concepts of data collection. In our daily lives in Ghana, we are surrounded by information. From the Ghana Statistical Service counting the population (census) to a market woman deciding which vegetables sell fastest, collecting and understanding data is essential for making smart decisions. This lesson will equip learners with the skills to choose the right tools to gather information to answer questions about their school, community, and the world around them.

Lesson notes

A. What is Data? Data is simply a collection of facts, numbers, words, measurements, or observations. It is raw information that we gather to help us answer questions or understand a situation.

Example: The scores of your last class test are data. The names of your favourite musicians are data. The number of cars that pass by the school gate in one hour is data. B. Types of Data There are two main types of data we will focus on. Understanding them helps us choose the best way to collect them. Qualitative Data This is descriptive information. It deals with qualities, characteristics, or categories. It cannot be measured with numbers but can be observed. Think of it as "quality" information. Examples in a Ghanaian context: The favourite local food of students in JHS 1 (e.g., Waakye, Jollof, Banku). The region each student comes from (e.g., Ashanti, Volta, Greater Accra). The colours of shirts worn by teachers on a Friday. Opinions on the school's Inter-house sports competition (e.g., "exciting," "well-organised," "needs improvement"). Quantitative Data This is numerical information. It deals with numbers and things you can measure or count. Think of it as "quantity" information. Examples in a Ghanaian context: The number of siblings each student has. The height of students in centimetres. The amount of money (in Ghana Cedis) a student spends on lunch. The temperature in Accra at midday. The number of goals scored by the school football team.

| Data Type | Description | Key Question | Ghanaian Example | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Qualitative | Describes qualities or characteristics. Non-numerical. | "What kind?" or "Which type?" | The most popular mobile network (MTN, Vodafone, etc.). | | Quantitative| Deals with numbers, can be counted or measured. | "How many?" or "How much?" | The price of a loaf of bread at the local market. | C. Methods of Collecting Data

To get data, we must use a method. The method we choose depends on the question we want to answer. Observation This method involves watching and recording actions, behaviours, or events as they happen without interfering. When to use it: When you want to see what people or things *actually do*. Pros: Gives first-hand, realistic information. Cons: Can be time-consuming. People might act differently if they know they are being watched. Example: A teacher wants to find out which corner of the school compound is most popular for learners to play during break time. She can stand at a distance and observe, counting the number of learners in different areas. Interview This involves asking questions to a person or a group of people face-to-face and recording their answers. When to use it: When you want to get detailed, in-depth opinions and reasons. Pros: You can ask follow-up questions to understand answers better. Good for complex or sensitive topics. Cons: Takes a lot of time to interview many people. Some people may not be comfortable speaking openly. Example: To understand why last year's JHS 3 students performed well in BECE Mathematics, a journalist could interview their teacher to get detailed reasons and strategies. Questionnaire / Survey This is a list of written questions that people fill out themselves. It can be on paper or online. When to use it: When you need to collect information from a large number of people quickly. Pros: Efficient and can be anonymous, which makes people more honest. Easy to collect data from many people at once. Cons: People might not understand a question and there is no one to ask for clarification. Some people may not return the questionnaire. Example: The Headteacher wants to find out the most preferred subject among all 300 JHS students. Giving each student a questionnaire to tick their favourite subject is much faster than interviewing everyone. D. How to Select and Justify Your Method