CH.

2 COLLECTION OF DATA
In Statistics, data collection is a process of gathering information from all the relevant
sources to find a solution to the research problem. It helps to evaluate the outcome of the
problem.

Types of Data There are two types of data

 Primary Data Data collected by the investigator for his own purpose for the first
time, from beginning to end are called primary data.
 Secondary Data These data have already been collected by somebody else,
these are available in the form of published or unpublished report.
1. Direct Personal Investigation; This is the method by which the
investigator personally collects data from the information holder.
These are the method’s advantages and disadvantages.

(a) Merits

Originality; The data collected in this method is original as it is coming


directly from the person who possesses the information.
 Reliability; As the data is original and directly coming from the source it
is reliable.
 Uniformity; This method is uniform as the information collected is
constant and direct.
 Accuracy; The information holder provides the facts and figures with his
raw intelligence so the data collected is very accurate.
 Related information; In this method, the investigators can directly
communicate with the information provider so there are chances that
they might get some additional information about their study.
 Elastic; This method is very flexible.
(b) Demerits

Difficult to cover wide areas; As the investigation directly takes place it


is impossible to collect the information from a large area due to limited
resources.
 Costly; This method needs investigating agents and related resources
therefore it is a bit costly.
 Personal bias; The investigator or the information provider may have
some personal bias towards persons or events that need to be told
exactly.
 Limited coverage; The direct investigation is time-consuming and needs
effort therefore it can cover only a limited area.
2. Indirect Oral Investigation; This is the method by which information is
obtained that does not come from the individuals for whom it is required.
It is obtained orally from other individuals who are anticipated to have
the required information.
The followings are the advantages and disadvantages of this method:
(a) Merits

 Wide coverage; The information can be obtained from direct as well as

indirect sources that’s why it can cover wide areas.
 Expert opinion needed; To get the information from this method expert
opinion is needed for communication tactics, etc.
 Simple; Due to the absence of direct investigation this method becomes
very simple.
 Less expensive; This method does not require resources for the
investigation therefore it is comparatively less expensive.
(b) Demerits

 Less accurate; The information is not coming from its primary source
therefore it is less accurate.
 Doubtful conclusions; Based on the less accurate information provided
by the third party some doubtful conclusions are drawn from the
information.
 Biased; The third party responsible for providing the information about a
certain person or event can be biased based on their relationships.
3. Information from Local Sources or Correspondents; In this method,
the investigator appoints local people or correspondents at various
locations.
The following is a list of the advantages and disadvantages of this method:

(a) Merits

 Economical; This method is less expensive as fewer resources are

required.
 Wide coverage; Due to the availability of more correspondents
investigation can be done in a large area.
 Continuity; This method is also very constant and flexible.
 Suitable for special purposes; With the help of this method, the
investigation remains intact with its purpose as the correspondents are
not biased.
(b) Demerits

 Loss of originality; This method may lead to the acquisition of less

original data as the local sources are not able to get the exact
information always.
 Personal bias; The local sources may have some personal biases for
the people regarding whom information is needed.
 Less accurate; As this method is affected by the personal bias of the
local sources, it is less accurate.
 Delay in the collection; This method causes a delay in collecting the
data as it is not always uniform.
 4. Information Through Questionnaires and Schedules;
There are two methods for collecting information using questionnaires:

(a) The Mailing Method; In this method, questionnaires are mailed to the
informants. The method works best when

 The study covers a large area.

 The informants have advanced degrees.
(b) Questionnaire filled by the Enumerator; In this method, the Enumerator
himself fills the schedules after obtaining information from the Informants.

 When the subject of the investigation is vast, this approach is typically

used.
 The investigation requires expertise and specialised knowledge.
 The informants’ native language and cultural norms are well-known to
the investigators.
Secondary data collection
Secondary data is data that has already been collected and processed by
another organisation.

There are two main types of secondary data

 those that have been published and

 those that have not been published

1. Published Sources; Some of the sources of secondary data that have

been published are
 Government publications; The state, as well as the central government
of India, collects and publishes the data for its use and better
administration of the country. For example; Annual Economic Survey,
Census, Indian annual book, etc.
 Semi-government publications; Some semi-governmental organisations
such as; District boards, municipalities, etc publish their reports on
issues like birth, death, etc.
 Reports of committees and commissions; On various occasions, the
central and the state appoint some organisations to collect and publish
thé important data which enquire about the issue and submit their
reports regarding it. For example; Pay commission report.
  Publications of trade associations; Trade institutes like the Institute of
CharteredAccountants, Trade unions collect and publish necessary
data.
 Publications of research institutions; Research institutes are also
engaged in the process of publishing data such as; the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, and the National Council of Education Research
and Training.
 Journals, and papers; Newspapers and magazines collect economic
and social data and publish them in their slots. For example; The Hindu,
Outlook money, etc.
 International publications; International institutions publish reports of
great value from time to time for example; WHO, IMF, etc.
Unpublished Sources; These data are collected by government
organisations and others, typically for their personal use or official record.
This data is collected by other people for the investigation but it’s not
published, for example; Reports published by a private organisation.
Precautions while using secondary data

The following considerations must be made when evaluating the data’s

reliability, suitability, and adequacy:

 The reliability of secondary data is judged by the goodness and

experience of the agency.
 The secondary data should be suitable for the enquiry.
 The scope of the data and method of collection should be considered.
 The time and conditions of the organisation should be taken into
account.

rimary Data Secondary Data

Definition

Primary data are those that are collected for the Secondary data refer to those data that have
first time. already been collected by some other person.

Originality

These are original because these are collected These are not original because someone else has
by the investigator for the first time. collected these for his own purpose.

Nature of Data

These are in the form of raw materials. These are in the finished form.

Reliability and Suitability

 These are more reliable and suitable for the These are less reliable and less suitable as
enquiry because these are collected for a someone else has collected the data which may
particular purpose. not perfectly match our purpose.

Time and Money

Collecting primary data is quite expensive both in Secondary data requires less time and money;
the terms of time and money. hence it is economical.

Precaution and Editing

No particular precaution or editing is required Both precaution and editing are essential as
while using the primary data as these were secondary data were collected by someone else
collected with a definite purpose. for his own purpose

Census method
The Census method; This is the method in which data is collected covering
every item of the universe or population relating to the problem or purpose
under investigation.

The most comprehensive and ongoing demographic record of the population

is provided by the Census of India.

 Since 1881, the Census has been taken regularly every ten years.
 In 1951, the first Census since independence was taken.
 Researchers in a wide range of fields, including demography,
economics, anthropology, statistics, and sociology, have found the
Indian Census to be a fascinating source of data.
 The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India,
which is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, is in
charge of carrying out the Census.
 The population’s size, density, sex ratio, literacy, migration, rural-to-
urban distribution, and other details are all gathered by the Census.
 The Indian census is more than just a statistical exercise; the data are
also interestingly interpreted and analysed.
 India’s most recent census was conducted in 2011. It was the seventh
census since independence in 1947, making it the 15th census in a row.
The followings are the advantages and disadvantages of this method:

(a) Merits

 Reliable and accurate; This method is very appropriate as it collects

information from every aspect.
  Less biased; The investigators and information providers are
transferring the information without any personal bias.
 Extensive information; With the help of this information the investigators
can also get additional information.
 Study of diverse characteristics; With this method investigators can
collect very diverse information and facts which will be useful for more
than one purpose.
 Study of complex investigation; As this method provides accurate data,
the information can be used for studying complex studies.
(b) Demerits

 Expensive; This method is expensive as it requires more resources to

collect information from every part of the population.
 Large manpower; To collect the information from such a large
population we need more manpower under this method.

Sample method
This is a method in which data are collected about a sample on a group of
items taken from the populations for examination and conclusions are drawn
based on these findings.

The followings are the advantages and disadvantages of this method:

(a) Merits

 Economical; This method is less expensive as it collects the information

from samples which are easier to collect.
 Time-saving; The time taken to collect the samples is also less.
 Large investigation; This method is suitable for a large population as it
is not collecting data from the entire population but from a part of it.
 Administrative convenience; It also provides convenience for
administering the data.
 More scientific; This method is very scientific as it is based on deciding
which samples to collect and which do not.
(b) Demerits

 Partial; The collection of samples may be partial or biased.

 Wrong Conclusions; Sometimes the samples may provide wrong
conclusions.
 Difficulty in selecting a representative sample; It is very difficult to select
the appropriate sample for the study.
 Difficulty in framing a sample; After collecting the sample it is necessary
to frame the sample efficiently which is difficult.
  Specialized knowledge; For this method, we need expertise in collecting
the samples.
1. Sample: a collection of items selected from the population for an
investigation that represents all of the items.
2. Errors in Sampling: The difference between the result of studying a
sample and the result of taking a census of the entire population is
called sampling error.
3. Error in Non-Sampling: this can occur in any survey, including sample
or census surveys.

Methods of Sampling
1. Random Sampling
Any of the following methods can be used for random sampling:

(i) the lottery method

(ii) tables of random numbers

1. Purposeful or deliberate sampling; In this method, the researcher

chooses the items in the samples that he thinks are the most accurate
representation of the universe.
2. Stratified or Mixed Sampling; This method of sampling divides the
population into distinct strata with distinct characteristics, and some of
the items are chosen from each stratum to ensure that the entire
population is represented.
3. Systematic Sampling; In this method, population units are arranged
alphabetically, geographically, and numerically. As a sample, every nth
item in the number is chosen.
4. Quota Sampling; In this method, the population is broken up into
various groups or classes based on various characteristics.
5. Convenience Sampling; In this method, the investigator conducts the
sampling in a manner that is convenient to him.

Basis of
Difference Census Method Sampling Method

Coverage In the Census Method of In the Sampling Method of

Collecting Data, information Collecting Data, information is
is collected by the collected by the investigator by
investigator related to all taking some of the items
the items in the population. representing the whole
 Basis of
Difference Census Method Sampling Method

population.

When the area of

investigation is relatively When the area of investigation
Suitability small, the Census Method is large then Sampling Method
of Collecting Data is is preferred.
suitable.

The Sampling Method provides

less accuracy because this
Census Method generally
method involves the study of
provides a greater degree
only a few items of the
of accuracy rather than the
population. However, as the
Sampling Method. The
number of items is small in the
Accuracy reason behind this
Sampling Method, it is easy to
accuracy is that the Census
detect and remove errors.
Method includes the study
Therefore, in that case, the
of each and every item of
Sampling Method gives more
the population.
accuracy than the Census
Method.

Census Method takes more Sampling Method takes less

Time
time in collecting data. time in collecting data.

The Census Method is

more expensive than the The Sampling Method is less
Sampling Method of expensive than the Census
Cost Collecting Data. It is Method of Collecting Data. It is
because this method because this method includes
includes the whole a small sample size.
population.

When the items in the

When the items in the
population taken for study
population taken for study are
Nature of have diverse
homogeneous, in that case,
Items characteristics, in that
the Sampling Method is
case, Census Method is
preferred.
preferred.

Verification Generally, it is not possible It is easy to verify the

 Basis of
Difference Census Method Sampling Method

statistical information gathered

to verify the statistical
through the Sampling Method.
information gathered
Besides, if there is any doubt
through Census Method as
then the investigator can
it includes huge expenses
perform enumeration again
and repeats the whole
and can verify facts
process.
accordingly.