APPLICATION-METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
I. PRIMARY DATA
Collection is done by the individual using:
1. Interviews.
2. Observation.
3. Questionnaires.
4. Diaries.
5. Critical incidents.
2. SECONDARY DATA
collection is done by already
existing data from:
1. Census.
2. National Survey.
3. Registration of vital events.
4. Hospital Records.
INTERVIEWS
• Interviews are undertaken on personal, one to
one basis or in a group.The advantages of
interview method are as follows.
1. It is the best means to collect an indepth
information.
2. The feedback and response rate is good.
3.The information is recorded
immediately and complete.
4. Help can be provided immediately.
DISADVANTAGES OF INTERVIEW
1. It is expensive and time consuming.
2. Training is required in case of employing many
interviewers.
3. Pre fixed questionnaire are required.
TYPES OF INTERVIEWS
• An interview can be of three types:
1. STRUCTURED.
2. SEMI STRUCTURED
3. UNSTRUCTURED.
OBSERVATION
• Is a method to record behavioural pattern of
people in a systematic manner.
• The methods of observation include:
structured, un structured, natural, personal,
observations.
• Observation method provides information
on what is actually observed.
• Bias in observation method can be eliminated
by two observers.
• Hence this method has limitations in eliciting
accurate information.
QUESTIONNAIRES
• Questionnaire is a common method of
data collection.
• It takes time and expertise to prepare a
structured questionnaire.
• The use of questionnaire is simple but
requires a certain level of education and
skill from respondents.
• The questionnaire can be used to
interview for a direct data collection or a
telephonic survey could be conducted.
• It can be posted, emailed or faxed.
• The main advantage of this method is that
there is no bias.
DIARIES
• Diaries are used to record data obtained
from the individuals.
• The data expressed in the diaries are an indepth
information and can be used for reseaech
purposes.
II.SECONDARY DATA
• The secondary data is collected indirectly (not
from inviduals) from other sources such as
hospital records, census data etc.
SOURCES OF DEMOGRAHIC
SEC DATA
• Census.
• Registration of vital events.
• National Survey.
• Demographic studies.
• Records.
Census
• Census is the main sources of demographic data.
• A census is defined as the total process of collecting, compiling and
publishing demographic, socioeconomic data pertaining, at a specific time
or times, to all persons in a country or delimited territory.
• Two types of census.
1) Dejure census - counts the persons according to their usual place of
residence
2) Defacto census - counts the persons where they are found
on census day.
• Both methods have some advantages and disadvantages.
1) In Dejure census, there is problem of definition of “usual
residence” because some have more residence place and
some have no residence.
2) In Defacto, there is problem of counting person who travelling
on census day or who works at night.
CENSUS
• Census is the direct method of collection of
demographic data.
• Census is conducted by the government
every 10 yrs.
• It is conducted at the end of first quarter of
each decade.
• Census is an attempt to contact every member
of the population in a country.
• Census not only provides information
regarding the number of people, but other
relevant information (age, gender, marital
status, occupation, education, employment
status, migration, language, religion etc.)
REGISTRATION OF VITAL EVENTS
• Registration of vital events is the basis of
vital statistics.
• Vital events refers to births, death,
migration, marriages, divorces, foetal
deaths registration.
• The main drawback in this registration
process is that it has the provision only
for voluntary registration.
• So data is not accurate and complete as
people do not voluntarily get the birth,
death or marriages registered.
• The data tends to be unreliable.
• The other reasons for
incompleteness include :
1. Illiteracy.
2. Ignorance.
3. Lack of concern.
4. Lack of motivation.
5. Lack of uniformity.
6. Multiple registration
agencies.
NATIONAL SURVEY
• National Survey refers to the survey
conducted at central level to collect the
information related to population from
various states.
DEMOGRAPHIC STUDIES
• Studies conducted on demography also
provide data regarding the population's
education, occupation etc.
• The demographic studies provide
information about the latest demographic
changes occuring from time to time.
RECORDS
• Records available in hospitals constitute
the basic and primary source of
information about births and deaths due to
specific illness.
• Hospital data provides the numerator. (not
the denominator & hence is incomplete)
Vital Registration Survey Census
Data collected in Data collected in Data collected in
continuous basic fixed point in time fixed point in time
Cheaper Nationally
Limitation: Representative Representative, cover
oQuality of Data Population whole population
oData Accuracy Short duration
oAge misreporting More information
oUnder reporting from prepared Q: Limitation:
Very Expensive
Limitation: Longer duration
Birth Nationally Limited
Death Representative information
Child Death Sampling error
Adult Death because of
Maternal D Questionnaires
