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Chapter 2: Collection of Data
1. Differentiate between primary data and secondary data. Which one is more reliable? Why?
Basis Primary Data Secondary Data
Meaning Data collected first-hand by the investigator. Data collected by someone else but used by the
investigator.
Source Surveys, interviews, experiments, direct Government reports, census, books, websites,
observation. journals.
Reliability More reliable (collected for a specific May be less reliable (collected for some other
purpose). purpose).
Cost & Expensive and time-consuming. Cheaper and quicker to obtain.
Time
Primary data is more reliable, because it is collected directly by the investigator with a specific objective, ensuring
accuracy and relevance.
2. Explain various methods of collecting primary data.
(a) Direct Personal Investigation
• Investigator personally contacts respondents and collects data.
• Example: Interviewing farmers about crop yield.
• ✔ Accurate, reliable. ✘ Time-consuming, costly.
(b) Indirect Oral Investigation
• Data collected from intermediaries or witnesses instead of actual persons concerned.
• Example: Asking teachers about students’ behaviour.
• ✔ Useful when direct data not possible. ✘ May be biased.
(c) Information through Questionnaires
• A set of written questions sent to respondents to fill.
• Example: Income and expenditure survey.
• ✔ Economical, covers large area. ✘ Low response, careless answers.
(d) Information through Schedules
• Enumerators fill in details by asking questions directly from respondents.
• Example: Census survey.
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• ✔ Accurate, removes illiteracy issues. ✘ Expensive, time-consuming.
(e) Observation Method
• Data collected by directly observing activities or events.
• Example: Counting number of passengers in a bus.
• ✔ Reliable, real-time. ✘ Limited scope.
3. What precautions should be taken while using secondary data?
1. Suitability – Must fit the purpose of investigation.
2. Adequacy – Should cover sufficient scope and period.
3. Reliability – Check source authenticity (government reports more reliable).
4. Accuracy – Methods of collection should be known.
5. Timeliness – Data should be recent and up-to-date.
4. Distinguish between census method and sample method. State their merits and demerits.
Basis Census Method Sample Method
Meaning Data collected from each and every unit of Data collected from a part (sample) of the
population. population.
Cost & Very costly and time-consuming. Less costly and quicker.
Time
Accuracy More accurate and detailed. Less accurate (depends on sample size &
method).
Suitability Small population. Large population.
Example Population Census of India. Election exit polls.
Merits of Census
• Highly accurate, complete information.
• Detailed analysis possible.
Demerits of Census
• Very costly, time-consuming.
• Difficult for large populations.
Merits of Sample
• Economical, saves time.
• Suitable for large populations.
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Demerits of Sample
• May not be fully accurate.
• Biased selection leads to wrong results.
5. Explain the concept of population and sample with suitable examples.
• Population (Universe):
The entire group of items or individuals under study.
Example: All students in a school, all households in a city.
• Sample:
A part of the population selected for investigation.
Example: 100 students selected out of 2,000 students in a school for a survey.
• Relationship:
o Population is large; sample is a small representation.
o Correctly chosen sample reflects the population’s characteristics.
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