Chapter 2: Collection of Data

SOURCES AND NATURE OF DATA

Sources of Data

(A) Primary Source

Primary source of data implies collection of data directly from the original source by the
investigator. It offers first-hand quantitative information because the investigator or their
team personally approaches the respondents. For example: we conduct a survey on
monthly household expenditure in our town by asking families directly.

(B) Secondary Source

When information is collected from an agency or institution already in possession of the

data. Here, we do not interact with respondents or conduct any survey our self. We rely on
existing data, published or unpublished. For example: The state government has already
published data on per capita expenditure—you obtain and use that for your study.

Nature of Data

(a) Primary Data

Data Collected for the first time by the investigator for their own purpose. It is collected
directly from the source of origin. This data is original, and the investigator is the first
person to use it. For example: You collect data on family income, pocket allowance,
education, etc., from students in your class.

(b) Secondary Data

Secondary data are those which already exists and was collected by someone else for a
different purpose. These are second-hand data. It is available in the form of published
reports, institutional records, or government data. For example: Indian Railway data
published annually by the Railway Board.
Difference between Primary and secondary data

“Primary in the hands of one, secondary in the hands of another.” — Secrist

HOW TO COLLECT DATA FROM PRIMARY SOURCE
1. PERSONAL INTERVIEWS

(a) Direct Personal Investigation

• In this method investigator directly contacts respondents. In simple, the investigator

establishes direct relation with the person from whom the information is to be
obtained.
• Example: A researcher visits farmers individually to gather information about crop
yield.
• Suitable when:
o Area of study is small
o Originality and accuracy are important
o Confidentiality required
• Merits:
o Very accurate and reliable: since it is personally collected so it is
considered as accurate and reliable.
o High originality
o Allows collection of related information
o Data is uniform: There is a fair degree of uniformity in the data collected by
the investigator himself from the respondent. It facilitates comparison.
o Elastic method: Investigator can adjust questions.
• Demerits:
o Not suitable for large areas
o Prone to personal bias: This method is highly prone to personal bias of the
investigator. As a result, the data may lose their credibility.
o Very expensive: This method is very expensive in terms of the time, money
and efforts involved.
o Coverage is limited

(b) Indirect Oral Investigation

In this method information is obtained not from the person regarding whom the
information is needed. It is collected orally from persons who are expected to
possess the necessary information. These other persons are known as witnesses.
for example, by this method the data on the economic condition of worker may be
collected from their employer rather than worker themselves.

• Used when respondents are:

o Illiterate
o Unavailable
 o Unwilling
• Often used by commissions or inquiry bodies.

Merits:

• Feasible in sensitive scenarios where direct data can't be collected.

• Less costly and quicker than personal interviews.
• Can cover more area with fewer resources.
• Useful when respondents are unwilling to speak openly.

Demerits:

o Reliability depends on honesty and competence of witnesses

o May lack accuracy

(c) Information from Local Sources/Correspondents

• In this method, local agents or correspondent are appointed and trained to collect
the information from the respondent. This method of collecting primary data is used
when information at regular intervals of time is to be collected from different places.
• It is common in media, weather reporting, etc.
• Merits:
o Regular and economic data collection
o Wide area coverage
o It is very economical in terms of money and resources.
o Can cover remote areas
• Demerits:
o Accuracy is not guaranteed
o Prone to bias
o No direct contact with respondents
o A lot of time is consumed to collect the information.

2. INFORMATION THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES AND SCHEDULES

(a) Mailing (Questionnaire) Method

• Under this method, the investigator makes a questionnaire pertaining to the field of
investigation and send it to the respondents, along with a covering letter, to collect
information from them.
• Respondents fill and return them.
• Merits:
o It is very economical
 o Wide coverage
o Data supplied directly by respondents
• Demerits:
o Respondents may not return or complete them
o No scope for clarification
o Only suited for educated people
o Can be biased
o May have low accuracy

(b) Enumerator’s Method (Schedules)

• Under this method enumerators himself fills the schedules after seeking
information from the informants. This method is used when field of investigation is
large, the investigator is well versed in the local language and cultural norms of the
informants.
• Enumerators are trained in local language and cultural norms.
• Merits:
o Suitable for illiterate respondents
o Wide area coverage
o More accurate as questions are explained
o Limited chance of partiality or biasedness.
• Demerits:
o Very costly and time-consuming
o Requires training of staff
o If the investigators are not properly trained the result of investigations are
likely to be misleading.

QUALITIES OF A GOOD QUESTIONNAIRE

• Simple and clear language

• Limited number of questions
• Logical sequence of questions
• Should be non-personal and non-controversial
• Allows for cross-verification
• Pre-tested using a pilot survey
• Contains a note of purpose, assurance of confidentiality, and a request to return

Types of Questions:

1. Simple Alternative – Yes or No

2. Multiple Choice – Choose one from several options
3. Open-ended – Respondent expresses opinions
4. Factual/Informative – Specific and objective answers
3. TELEPHONIC INTERVIEWS

• Under this method, data is collected through an interview over phone calls with the
interviewer. This method is suitable when the respondent has a telephone
connection and the data is to be collected in shorter duration.
• Merits:
o Time and cost-saving
o Wide coverage is possible
o No need for physical presence
o It is possible to assist the respondent by clarifying the questions.
• Demerits:
o Suitable only for those who have phones
o This method obstructs visual reactions of the respondents.
o Less personal interaction

PILOT SURVEY

• Once the questionnaire is ready, it is advisable to conduct a try-out with a small

group which is known as Pilot Survey or Pre-testing of the questionnaire. The pilot
survey helps in providing a preliminary idea about the survey. It helps in pre-testing
of the questionnaire, so as to know the shortcomings and drawbacks of the
questions. Pilot survey also helps in assessing the suitability of questions, clarity of
instructions, performance of enumerators and the cost and time involved in the
actual survey.
• It is a small-scale preliminary study.
• Helps the investigator to:
o Test the questionnaire
o Identify problems
o Estimate time and cost
o Train enumerators
• Helps in finalizing format, wording, and sequence of questions
COLLECTION OF SECONDARY DATA
1 PUBLISHED SOURCES
Published sources such as government reports, documents, newspapers, research papers,
books written by scholars, International Publication, websites etc.

Following are the published sources

1. Government Publications – Census reports, Economic Survey

2. Semi-Government Publications – Municipal records
3. Committee & Commission Reports – Planning Commission, Law Commission
4. Research Institutions – Universities, Indian Statistical Institute
5. Journals, Magazines, Newspapers – The Economic Times, India Today
6. International Bodies – World Bank, IMF, UNO, WHO

2 UNPUBLISHED SOURCES
Unpublished source work of a scholar which is not published, reports of an institution.

Followings are the unpublished sources

 • Office records, research data, internal reports
• Data not made public, but may be used with permission

PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING SECONDARY DATA

According to Connor:

"Statistics, especially other people’s statistics, are full of pitfalls for the user."

Check the following before using:

1. Reliability:
o Was it collected by capable and impartial agencies?
2. Suitability:
o Do the objective and scope match your study?
3. Adequacy:
o Is the data complete and sufficient?
4. Collection Method:
o Was it scientifically collected?
5. Time and Conditions:
o Is the data up-to-date and collected under comparable conditions?
6. Definition of Units:
o Units used should be same or compatible
7. Accuracy:
o Data should meet the required level of accuracy; else it must be rejected

“It is never safe to take published statistics at their face value without knowing
their meaning and limitations.” — Bowley

Q.1. Explain difference between the primary and secondary data.

Ans.

• Primary Data
1) The data collected by the investigator for his own purpose for the first time are
called primary data.
2) These are original as these are collected from the source of origin.
3) These are costlier in terms of time, money and efforts involved.
4) Example: Investigator makes a list of marks obtained by students in economics of
class XI by interrogating them.
• Secondary Data
1) Data which are already in existence and which have been collected for some
other purposes are called secondary data.
2) These are not original as these are already in existence. These can be obtained
from published or from any other sources.
3) These are less costly in terms of time, money and efforts involved.
4) Example: Investigator collects the marks obtained by class teacher in economics
of class XI from his school records like award list, result register etc.

Q.2. What are personal interviews? Write the merits and demerits of personal
interviews.
Ans.
Personal Interviews: This method is used when the researcher has access to all the
members. The researcher conducts face to face interviews with the respondents.
The interviewer has the opportunity of explaining the study and answering any query
of respondents.
Merits:
1) Get the highest response rate by this method.
2) The Misinterpretation and the misunderstanding can be avoided.
3) Watching the reactions of respondents can provide supplementary information.
4) Allows clarification of ambiguous questions.
Demerits:
1) It is expensive.
2) It requires trained interviewer.
3) It takes longer time to complete the survey.
4) Presence of the researcher may inhibit respondents from saying what they really
think.