Different Methods of Collection of Data

The Different Methods of Collecting
the Data.
Presented: P VEERESHA

:To understand “Method of Data Collection”
 Need of Data Collection
 Sources of Data
 Primary Data
 Collection Methods
 Merits and Demerits
 Secondary Data
 Availability
 Characteristics
 Merits and Demerits
 Differences between Primary & Secondary
sources

Need of Data Collection
 Data collection is a term used to describe a process of
preparing and collecting data
 Data are the basic inputs to any decision making process in
any fields like education, business, industries…. etc

Sources of Data
Primary
data
Secondary
data

Primary Data
 The primary data are those which are collected afresh and
for the first time, and thus happen to be original in
character.
 It is real time data and which are collected by the
researcher himself.
 This is the process of collecting and making use of the
data.
 Primary Data has not been published yet and is more
reliable, authentic and objective.

Observation
Method
Interview
Method
Through
Questionnaires
Through
Schedules
Other methods which
include
•Warranty cards
•Consumer panels
•Distributer audits
•Pantry audits
•Depth interviews
•Content analysis…….etc
Different methods of collecting a PRIMARY DATA

Observation Method
 The observation method is the most commonly used method specially in
studies relating to behavioral sciences.
 The information obtained under this method relates to what is currently
happening; it is not complicated by either the past behaviour or future
intentions (or) attitudes.
While using this method, the researcher should keep in mind things like: What
should be observed ? How the observations should be recorded ? (or) how the
accuracy of observation can be ensured ?.
In case the observation is characterized by a careful definition of the units to
be observed, the style of recording the observed information, standardized conditions
of observation and the selection of relevant data of observation, then the observation
is called as structured observation. But when observation is to take place without
these characteristics to be thought of in advance, the same is termed as unstructured
observation.

Merits:
(i) The researcher is enabled to record the natural behavior of the
group.
(ii) The researcher can even verify the truth of statements made by
informants in the context of a questionnaire or a schedule.
(iii)The researcher can even gather information which could not
easily be obtained if he observes in a dis-interested fashion.
Demerits:
 It is an expensive method
 The information provided by this method is very limited.
 Sometimes unexpected factors may interfere with the
observational task.

Interview Method :
The interview method of collecting data involves presentation of
oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral-verbal responses. This
method can be used through personal interviews and, if possible,
through telephone interviews.

a) Personal interviews:
Personal interview method requires a person known as the interviewer
asking questions generally in a face-to-face contact to the other person or
persons.
Merits:
 More information and that too in greater depth can be obtained
 There is greater flexibility under this method
 Observation method can as well be applied to recording verbal answers to
various questions.
 Personal information can easily obtained under this method.

….
Demerits:
 It is a very expensive method, specially when large and widely spread
geographical sample is taken.
 There remains the headache of supervision and control of interviewers.
 Certain types of respondents such as important officials or executives or
people in high income groups may not be easily approachable under this
method

b) Telephone interviews:
This method of collecting information consists in contacting respondents
on telephone itself. It is not a very widely used method, but plays
important part in industrial surveys, particularly in developed regions.
Merits:
 It is faster than other methods i.e., a quick way of obtaining information.
 It is more flexible in comparison to mailing method.
 It is cheaper than personal interviewing method; here the cost per response
is relatively low.
 Recall is easy and no field staff is required.
Demerits :
 Little time is given to respondents for considered answers; interview
period is not likely to exceed five minutes in most cases.
 Surveys are restricted to respondents who have telephone facilities.
 Questions have to be short and to the point.

Collection of Data
Through Questionnaires
This method of data collection is quite popular, particularly in case of big
enquiries. It is being adopted by private individuals, research workers,
private and public organizations and even by governments. In this method
a questionnaire is sent to the persons concerned with a request to answer
the questions and return the questionnaire.
The merits claimed on behalf of this method are as follows:
 There is low cost even when the universe is large and is widely spread
geographically.
 Respondents have sufficient time to give well thought out answers.
 Respondents, who are not easily approachable, can also be reached
conveniently.

…
The main demerits of this system can also be listed here:
It can be used only when respondents are educated and cooperating.
 The control over questionnaire may be lost once it is sent.
 There is inbuilt inflexibility.
This method is likely to be the slowest of all.

This method of data collection is very much like the collection of data through
questionnaire, with little difference which lies in the fact that schedules
(pro-forma containing a set of questions) are being filled in by the enumerators
who are specially appointed for the purpose. These enumerators along with
schedules, go to respondents, put to them the questions from the pro-forma in
the order the questions are listed and record the replies in the space meant for
the same in the pro-forma.
This method of data collection is very useful in extensive enquiries and
can lead to fairly reliable results. It is, however, very expensive and is usually
adopted in investigations conducted by governmental agencies or by some big
organizations.
Collection of Data Through Schedules

Some Other Methods of Data Collection
 Warranty cards:
 Distributor or store audits:
 Consumer panels:
 Use of mechanical devices:
 Projective techniques….. etc

Merits
High accuracy of data
Data interpretation is
better
More flexible.
Address as specific
research issues
Up to Dated
Demerits
Expensive
Time consuming
Not available immediately
Rejection by some respondents
/not taken seriously
Required lot of skills with
labour.
Primary Data

Secondary Data
Secondary data means data that are already available i.e., they refer to the data
which have already been collected and analyzed by someone else.
Secondary data may either be published data or unpublished data. Usually
published data are available in:
 various publications of the central, state are local governments;
 various publications of foreign governments or of international bodies.
 technical and trade journals;
 books, magazines and newspapers;
 reports prepared by research scholars, universities, economists, etc. in
different fields; ……

Reliability of data:
Suitability of data:
Adequacy of data:
The researcher before using secondary data, he must see
that they possess following characteristics:

Secondary Data
Quick and cheap
Wider geographical
area
Longer orientation
period
Leading to find
primary data
No fulfill our specific
research needs
Poor accuracy
Data are not up to date
Poor availability in some
cases

Selection of Appropriate Method for Data Collection
There are various methods of data collection. As such the
researcher must carefully select the method/methods for his own
study, keeping in view the following factors:
1. Nature, scope and object of enquiry:
2. Availability of funds:
3. Time factor:
4. Precision required:

Differences between Primary & Secondary Data
PRIMARY DATA SECONDARY DATA
 Real time data.  Past data.
 Sure about sources of data.  Not sure about sources of data.
 Help to give results/finding.  Refining the problem.
 Costly and Time consuming process.  Cheap and No time consuming
process.
 Avoid biasness of response data.  Can not know if data biasness or
not.
 More flexible.  Less Flexible.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Kothari, C.R. (2009). “Research methodology”. Second revised edition, New
Age International, New Delhi, 2004, Page No. 96-113
 Krishhnaswami, O.R., & Ranganatham, M. “Methodology of research in
social sciences”, Himalaya Publishing House, Mumbai(2009).
 Ajay Anoj , Gokul , “Primary & Secondary sources of Data”, PPT

Different Methods of Collection of Data

Different Methods of Collection of Data

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