1= never, 5= as much as possible
When you look closely, you notice that the data does not indicate a specific quantitative amount, like how many times a week the respondent recycles. The survey instead takes qualitative data - self-reflection about likeliness to recycle - and quantifies that information on a scale of 1 to 5.
You can also determine that the majority of respondents think they recycle less than, or equal to average. It also shows that the category selected by the most survey-takers is 3, halfway between recycling as much as possible and never recycling. But is this what the general public truly thinks about recycling?
To find out, you need to take this research into your hands by considering additional methods of data collection. If you are interested in qualitative data, you must be prepared for a little more time-consuming research. The main methods of conducting this research involve individual interviews, focus groups, and direct observation. Maybe you might ask people at random around town. Or you might prefer quantitative data, and count the number of recycle bins placed outside homes on the proper day. But be careful not to bias your results. If you include data collected in a town that does not have recycling pickup, you will most likely obtain different results than in an area where recycling pickup is easy and free.
Collecting unbiased, useful data is a challenging task. You must always be sure to take possible errors into account and design your data collection method to minimize them. How would you design a method to collect data about society’s dedication to recycling?