SOURCES OF DATA
Types of data
Data may be primary (collected specifically for the purpose of a survey) or
secondary (collected for some
other purpose).
Discrete data/variables can only take on a countable number of values.
Continuous data/variables can
take on any value.
Data may be classified as follows.
(a) Primary and secondary data
(b) Discrete and continuous data
(c) Sample and population data
Sources of data
Internal Sources of Data
External Sources of Data
Primary source of data is, as the term implies, as close as you can get to the
origin of an item of data: the eyewitness to an event, the place in question, the
document under scrutiny.
A secondary source, again logically enough, provides 'secondhand' data:
books, articles, verbal or written reports by someone else.
Secondary data
The main sources of secondary data are: governments; banks; newspapers;
trade journals; information bureaux; consultancies; libraries; and information
services
Secondary data are data which have already been collected elsewhere, for
some other purpose, but which can be used or adapted for the survey being
conducted.
The internet
The internet is a global network connecting millions of computers. The
internet allows any computer with a telecommunications link to send and
receive information to and from any other suitably equipped computer.
The economic environment
The economic environment affects firms at national and international level,
both in the general level of economic activity and in particular variables, such
as exchange rates, interest rates and inflation
The economic environment- Factors
Overall growth or fall
Gross domestic product
Local economic trends
Inflation
Interest rates
Tax levels
Government spending
The business cycle
Sampling
Data are often collected from a sample rather than from a population. If the
whole population is examined, the survey is called a census.
In situations where the whole population is examined, the survey is called a
census. This situation is quite rare, which means that the investigator must
choose a sample.
Sampling methods
A probability sampling method is a sampling method in which there is a
known chance of each member of the population appearing in the sample.
Probability sampling methods
– Random
– Stratified random
– Systematic
– Multistage
– Cluter
Sampling frames
If random sampling is used then it is necessary to construct a sampling frame.
A sampling frame is a numbered list of all items in a population
Drawbacks of random sampling
(a) Selected items are subject to the full range of variation inherent in the
population.
(b) An unrepresentative sample may result.
(c) An adequate sampling frame might not exist.
(d) The numbering of the population might be laborious.
(e) It might be difficult to obtain the data if the selected items cover a wide
area.
(f) It might be costly to obtain the data if the selected items cover a wide area.
Stratified random sampling
A variation on the random sampling method is stratified random sampling.
Stratified random sampling is a method of sampling which involves dividing
the population into strata or categories. Random samples are then taken from
each stratum or category
Systematic sampling
Systematic sampling is a sampling method which works by selecting every nth
item after a random start.
Multistage sampling
Multistage sampling is a probability sampling method which involves dividing
the population into a number of sub-populations and then selecting a small
sample of these sub-populations at random.
Each sub-population is then divided further, and then a small sample is again
selected at random. This process is repeated as many times as is necessary
Cluster sampling
Cluster sampling is a non-random sampling method that involves selecting
one definable subsection of the population as the sample, that subsection
taken to be representative of the population in question
Quota sampling
In quota sampling, randomness is forfeited in the interests of cheapness and
administrative simplicity.
Investigators are told to interview all the people they meet up to a certain
quota.
