UNIT -2
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Dr. S.Malini
Associate Professor
Department of Economics
Ethiraj College for Women
Contents
Classification & Tabulation
Diagrammatic Representation
Secondary data
Sourcing of Data
India and Tamil Nadu
Census
NSSO
Economic Survey
RBI Reports
Agricultural Census
Annual Survey of Industries
CLASSIFICATION
Arranging data into homogenous groups or classes according to some common
characteristics present in the data
process of sorting and categorizing data into various types, forms or any other distinct
class
Bases of Classification
Quantitative - Weight , Scores, Per Capita Income
Qualititative - Gender , Intelligence
Geographical - Regions, States, Cities, Countries
Chronological - Years , Days, Months
Uses of Classification
Simplification and Briefness: Classification presents data in a brief manner. Hence, it
becomes fairly easy to analyze the data.
Utility: As classification highlights the similarity in the data, it brings out its utility.
Distinctiveness: With the help of grouping data into different classes, classification also
brings out the distinctiveness in data.
Comparability: it facilitates comparison of data.
Scientific Arrangement: Classification arranges data on scientific lines. Thus it also
increases the reliability of data.
Attractive and Effective: Lastly, through the process of classification, data becomes effective
and attractive.
TABULATION
Systematic & logical presentation of numeric data in rows and columns
It facilitates comparison by bringing related information close to each other and helps in
further statistical analysis and interpretation.
Objectives of tabulation
Simplify data
Essential features of data
Facilitate comparison and further analysis
Highlight the features of Data
Draw Inferences
PARTS OF A TABLE
Table Number
For easy reference and identification a table
should be numbered. Should be written in the Body
centre at the top of the table. Sometimes it is
written just before the title of the table. contains the numerical information or
frequency of observations in the different cells.
Title This arrangement of data is according to the
clearly worded, brief and unambiguous title description of captions and stubs.
describing the nature of data contained in the Footnotes
table. placed centrally on the top of a table, just
below the table number (or just after table given at the foot of the table for explanation of
number in the same line). any fact or information included in the table
which needs some explanation. meant for
Captions explaining or providing further details about
brief and self-explanatory vertical columns. It may the data, that have not been covered in title,
involve headings and sub-headings as well. The captions and stubs.
units of data contained should also be given for
each column Sources of Data
Stubs mention the source of information from which
data are taken. include the name of the author,
stands for brief and self-explanatory headings of volume, page and year of publication.
horizontal rows. Also a variable with a large
number of classes is usually represented in rows.
RELATED CONCEPTS TO TABULATION
Frequency Distribution -principle of classifying data into groups
Class interval -the numerical width of any class in a particular distribution
difference between the upper class limit and the lower
class limit Age 0-20 20-40 40-60
Illustration – Age of 10 Persons 8, 19, 58, 35, 45, 12, 6, 13, 18, 47
Frequency 6 1 3
Class limits- Lower and upper class limits
Lower class limit -the smallest possible data value assigned to the
class
Upper class limit –largest possible data value assigned to the class
Class midpoint - is the value halfway between the lower and upper limit of the class
TABULATION
Cumulative Frequency –the running total of frequencies.
It is the sum of all the previous frequencies up to the current point
Tally bar - Representation of the data in the form
CI f C.f
of vertical lines
5 2 2
8 6 8 Marks Tally bar Frequency
10 8 16
10 |||| 4
12 10 26
20 || 2
30 | 1
DIAGRAMMATIC REPRESENTATION
Diagrammatic data presentation allows us to understand the data in an easier manner.
Types of Diagrams
Line Chart -graphically displays data that changes continuously over time.
used to show trends, for comparison, Make predictions
Bar Charts -commonly used to compare several categories of data.
Each rectangular bar has length and height proportional to the values
that they represent.
One axis of the bar chart presents the categories being compared.
The other axis shows a measured value
Pie Charts- displays data and statistics in an easy-to-understand ‘pie-slice’ format
and illustrates numerical proportion. It is a circle representing all
the data given.
The 360 degrees about the centre of the circle is divided up according
to the proportions of the different quantities shown
DIAGRAMS
Histograms-Compares the distribution or frequency of different values or ranges of values.
Class intervals are usually of equal width
Frequency Polygon- Histograph is another way of representing a frequency distribution
on a graph. You draw a frequency polygon by joining the midpoints
of the upper widths of the adjacent rectangles of the histogram
with straight lines.
Cumulative Frequency Curve- Ogives are of two types too – ‘less than ogive’
and ‘more than ogive’.
Stem and leaf diagrams -numerical representation of the data where the most
significant digit is highlighted.
Graphs - Use of graphs in interpreting data , trends and forecasting,
easier to understand
MERITS AND DEMERITS OF DIAGRAMMATIC
REPRESENTATION
Merits Demerits
Easy to understand Limited information
Simplified Presentation Restricts further data analysis
Reveals hidden facts Portrays limited characteristics
Quick to grasp Fail to present a meaningful look in certain
situations
Easy to compare
Possibility of misuse
Universally accepted
Careful usage
SECONDARY DATA
Secondary data is available in books, publications, journals, records,
newspapers, articles etc.
Therefore, the data may not have been updated and is not considered
for experiments that have time constraints.
This kind of data is useful for large and complicated projects involving
many people.
Secondary data may also be used for verifying primary data that has
been obtained.
PRIMARY DATA VS SECONDARY DATA
Primary Data Secondary Data
first hand data gathered by the Data collected by someone else
researcher himself earlier
Real time data Past Data
Government publications, websites,
Survey, observations, Experiments ,
books, journal articles, internal
questionnaire, Personal interview records etc
Always specific to the researcher's May or may not be specific to the
needs researcher's need
Accurate Less accurate and Reliable
Expensive Economical
SOURCES OF SECONDARY DATA
Internal sources – These sources are financial reports, sales
reports, organizational information, customer details,
feedback from the dealer or distributor, etc.
External sources – These sources are government census
reports, books, journals, periodicals, research thesis,
magazines, and the internet.
Unpublished sources – These sources of data are not
published anywhere and are obtained from databases of
institutions, diaries, letters, biographies, etc.
SOURCING OF DATA
Published Sources
Published articles of local bodies and Central and State Governments.
Statistical synopses, census records and other reports issued by different
departments of the Government.
Official statements and publications of the foreign Governments.
Publications and Reports of chambers of commerce, financial institutions, trade
associations, etc.,
Magazines, journals and periodicals.
Publications of Government organizations like the Central Statistical Organization
(CSO), National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO).
Reports presented by Research Scholars, Bureaus, Economists, etc.,
UNPUBLISHED SOURCES
The research works conducted by teachers, Professors and
Professionals.
The records that are maintained by private and business
enterprises.
Statistics maintained by different departments and agencies
of the Central and State Governments, Undertakings,
Corporations, etc.,
SECONDARY DATA -
International Agencies
United Nations National Level Agencies
World Health Organization
International Labour Organization Planning Commission
Food and Agriculture Organization Ministry of Commerce and Industries
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
NSSO
International Monetary Fund
CSO
RBI
Other Research Organisations
Price Waters Coopers (PwC)
Reports by Research Agencies
Eurostat
Nielsen
DataMonitor
WEBSITES ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INDIAN ECONOMY
MOSPI- The Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is a Ministry
of Government of India concerned with coverage
and quality aspects of statistics released.
Census of India
The surveys conducted by the Ministry are based https://censusindia.gov.in/
on scientific sampling methods.
Reserve Bank of India
Publishing data on various aspects of the
Agricultural Census
Indian Economy
Ministry of Agriculture
https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/Statistics.aspx
Economic Survey
Annual Survey of Industries
https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/budget_archi
ve/es2002-03/esmain.htm http://mospi.nic.in/annual-survey-industries
PRECAUTIONS IN USING SECONDARY DATA
The analyst must be aware of the purpose of enquiry.
The data must suit the purpose.
Adequacy of the data is to be judged in the light of the requirements of the survey
as well as the geographical area covered by the available data.
The investigator should keep in mind the degree accuracy maintained by each
investigator. As the data presently to be used has been collected by many
enumerators, their approach, experience and methods may have been different.
It should be ascertained before making use of available data to which period and
conditions, the data was collected.
Investigator should keep in mind whether the secondary data’ reasonable,
consistent and comparable.
There should not have been change of conditions now and then when these were
collected. The data which was collected during other times may not suit during the
days of calamities.
REFERENCES
https://www.toppr.com/guides/business-economics-cs/
https://censusindia.gov.in/
https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/Statistics.aspx
http://mospi.nic.in/annual-survey-industries
