Collection of Data - Notes
📘 **Collection of Data – Class XI Economics Notes**
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### 📌 Meaning of Statistics (Singular Sense)
Statistics is the science of:
1. **Collection** – Gathering raw data
2. **Organisation** – Editing the raw data
3. **Presentation** – Making tables or graphs
4. **Analysis** – Condensing long lists of data
5. **Interpretation** – Drawing meaningful conclusions
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### People Involved in Data Collection
- **Investigator**: Initiates the statistical study
- **Enumerators**: Appointed by the investigator to collect data
- **Respondents**: Provide the required data
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### 🔍 Types of Data
1. **Primary Data** – First-hand, original data collected by the investigator
- Time-consuming, expensive, more accurate
2. **Secondary Data** – Collected by someone else, reused by the investigator
- Time-saving, economical
**Choice Depends On**:
- Time & Money available
- Accuracy needed
- Availability of published info
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### 📊 Types of Surveys
1. **Census Survey** – Data from the whole population
2. **Sample Survey** – Data from a representative part of the population
**Sample Characteristics**:
- Must represent the entire population accurately
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### 🎯 Sampling Techniques
1. **Random Sampling (Unbiased / Probability Sampling)**:
- Every element has equal chance of selection
- **Types**:
- **Unrestricted**: Lottery method, Random number table
- **Restricted**:
- **Stratified Sampling** – Homogeneous groups (strata)
- **Cluster Sampling** – Heterogeneous groups (clusters)
- **Systematic Sampling** – Every nth element
2. **Non-Random Sampling (Biased / Purposive Sampling)**:
- Selection done by choice
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### 🧾 Questionnaire Design – Key Points
- Keep it short and relevant
- Move from general to specific questions
- Questions should be clear and precise
- Avoid ambiguity, double negatives, and leading questions
- Include both closed and open-ended questions
**Closed-ended Questions**:
- Easy to score and analyse
- May limit true responses
**Open-ended Questions**:
- Allow freedom in response
- Difficult to evaluate
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### ☎ Modes of Primary Data Collection
1. **Personal Interviews**:
- Merits: High response rate, clarification possible, detailed answers
- Demerits: Time-consuming, expensive, potential interviewer bias
2. **Mailed Questionnaires**:
- Merits: Cheap, wide reach, no bias
- Demerits: Misinterpretation, low response rate
3. **Telephonic Interviews**:
- Merits: Economical, time-saving, suitable for sensitive topics
- Demerits: No visual reactions, limited access
**Comparison Table** is included in the original PPT for further clarity.
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### 📈 Stages of Statistical Research
1. Collection of Data
2. Organisation
3. Presentation
4. Analysis
5. Interpretation
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### 📋 Steps in Data Collection Process
1. Plan of action
2. Decide on Census or Sample Survey
3. Design Questionnaire
4. Choose Mode of Distribution
5. Conduct a Pilot Survey
6. Check for completeness and consistency
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### 🔬 Pilot Survey
- A small trial run to test the questionnaire and feasibility
- Helps identify flaws and estimate time & cost
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### 🏢 Major Data Agencies in India
1. **Census of India** – Every 10 years since 1881; collects population data
2. **NSSO** – Conducts socio-economic surveys; publishes Sarvekshana journal
3. **CSO**, **RGI**, **DGCIS**, **Labour Bureau**
**NSSO Objectives**:
- Provide statistical info for planning
- Collect and publish socio-economic data
- Help research through reliable datasets
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Prepared from Class XI NCERT Economics PPTs on "Collection of Data".
