This course introduces the principles, objectives and methodologies of data collection. The course focuses on understanding the rationale for the various approaches to collecting data and choosing appropriate statistical techniques for data analysis. Topics covered include elements of sampling problems, simple random sampling, stratified sampling, ratio, regression, and difference estimation, systematic sampling, cluster sampling, elements of designed experiments, completely randomized design, randomized block design, and factorial experiments. The R statistical software package is used to illustrate statistical examples in the course. Emphasis is placed on the effective communication of statistical results.