Chapter 2 Collection of Data
• Collection of data : Primary and Secondary Data ,method of collecting both Primary
and secondary data.
• Census and sample method (any three Merits and demerits)
Data- it is defined as numerical facts or observation.
Sources of data
Primary data-data collected by the investigator for his own purpose for the 1 st time. These are
original as these are collected from the source of origin. These are costlier in terms of time, money
and efforts involved.
Secondary data- are those which are already in existence. These are collected from the source of
origin. These are second hand data.
Primary data Secondary data
Data collected by investigator for the Data which are already in existence
first time
Costlier in terms of time, money, efforts. These are less costlier in terms of time,
money efforts.
Eg. Teacher makes a list of marks Eg. You collect the marks obtained by
obtained by students in economics by students in economics from their report
interrogating them cards.
Methods of collecting primary data
1) Direct personal interview
Researchers conducts face to face interviews with the respondents.
Advantages
-Personal contact is made between the respondent and the interviewer
-Misunderstanding and misinterpretation can be avoided
-Watching the reactions of the respondents can provide supplementary information.
Demerits
-It is expensive
-It takes longer time to complete survey
2) Telephone interview-
In a telephone interview, the investigator asks question over the telephone.
Advantages
-These are cheaper and can conducted in a shorter time.
-They allow the researcher to assist the respondent by clarifying the questions
Disadvantages
-Access to people may be difficult as many people may not own telephones
-It obstructs visual reactions of the respondents which helps in obtaining information on sensitive
issues.
3) Mailing questionnaire-
When the data in a survey are collected by mail with a request to complete and return it by a given
date
Advantages
-It is less expensive
-It allows the researcher to have access to people in remote areas
- it permits the respondent to take sufficient time to give thoughtful answers to the questions.
Disadvantages
-There is less opportunity to provide assistance in clarifying instructions, so there is a possibility of
misinterpretation of questions
-It produce low response rates due to various factors such as returning the questionnaire without
completing..
Methods of collecting secondary data
1.Government publications- Government organization and department of Central and state
government publish current information along with statistical facts
2.Journals and newspapers-Journals( eg. Monthly statistics of trade, industry) and
Newspapers(eg Economic Times) furnish data on various topics.
3. Reports of committees and commissions- various committees and commissions are appointed
by central and state government for case studies and suggestions.
Pilot survey
Once the questionnaire is ready, it is survey helps in providing preliminary idea about the survey. It
helps in pre testing of the questionnaire as to know shortcomings and drawbacks of the
questionnaire.
Census
A survey which includes every element of the population is known as Census method. It covers
every individual unit in the entire population. Census of India which is carried out every ten years
includes a house to house inquiry covering all households in India.
Advantages
Extensive Study – census method involves collection of meaningful exhaustive information as all
items of the universe are studied. Eg. Age, occupation, educational qualifications of people.
Reliable Data – The data that a statistician collects through a census investigation is more reliable,
representative, and accurate. This is because, in a census, the statistician observes every item.
The basis of various surveys – Data from a census investigation is used as a basis in various
surveys
Disadvantages
Expensive - since census method involves extensive study it is costly.
Large manpower required- census method requires large number of well trained enumerators.
Time-consuming – A census investigation is time-consuming and also requires manpower to
collect original data.
Possibilities of Errors – There are many possibilities of errors in the census investigation method
due to non-response, measurement, lack of preciseness of the definition of statistical units or even
the personal bias of the investigators
Sampling method
It is a method in which data are collected about samples or group of items taken from universe for
study and conclusions are drawn on their basis.
Merits:
1. Economical
It is economical, because we have not to collect all data. Instead of getting data from 5000 farmers,
we get it from 50-100 only.
2.Less Time Consuming:
As no of units is only a fraction of the total universe, time consumed is also a fraction of total time.
Number of units is considerably small, hence the time.
3.Error identification- since only limited number of items are studied under sample method error
identification becomes easy
4. Administrative convenience- since limited number of items are to be handled there is
administrative convenience.
Demerits
1.Biased- it may involve investigators biasness in the selection of samples so the result can be
biased.
2.Inaccurate results- if sample do not represent characteristics of entire population the investigator
may get inaccurate result.
3.Difficult to frame samples- if the items in the universe are very diverse it becomes difficult to
frame samples
4.Technical knowledge required- specialized knowledge is required for selecting a sample.
