COLLECTION OF DATA

Primary Data :-

The data collected by primary source are called primary data e.g. the data

Relating to family expenditure, family size , social or marital status etc.

Since such are collected by the investing himself therefore they are
original in character. Example to know the level of intelligence of students
in a certain school we can give them a test and collect the relevant data
ourselves. The data so collected will be primary data. In India there are
various agencies which collect primary data. National sample survey is one
them.

Secondary Data :-

The data obtained by Secondary source are known as secondary data. In

other words secondary data are those which are collected by some one
else, but used by investigator for his purpose. For example, for measuring
the level of intelligence of the students we decide to make use of the
relevant data collected by some different agency, we will making use of the
secondary data. Further in order to the cost of living in Bombay and
Ahemadabad ,we may decide to make use of the data published in The
Economic times, we will be making use of the secondary data.

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PRIMATY & SECONDARY DATA

 The distinguish between primary and secondary data as a matter of
relativity. Data which are Primary in the hands of the one person become
Secondary in the hands of another. e.g. the electoral rolls prepared by
Election Office are Primary for the office but Secondary when used by
another’s.

For example It is desired to inquire into the working conditions of

workers in a certain factory the fact collected by the investigator or his
representatives directly from the workers themselves would be termed as
the primary data. But if instead of obtaining the data from the workers
themselves we get them from the records of its trade union office or from
some other source, the data will be called Secondary data. Similarly the
census data collected by the office of Register General of census operations
are primary data for the office but are secondary data when used by
others.

METHODS FOR COLLECTING THE PRIMARY DATA

Primary Data may be collected by adopting any of the following methods :-

[a] Direct Personal Investigation :- In Direct Personal investigations as the

name itself suggests the investigator contacts personally with the persons
for whom the information is to be taken (known as informants).
Investigator puts the questions and collects the information. That
information obtained in first hand.

Merits:-
 i. Due to personal approach the investigator gets a higher degree of co-
operation and also prompt responses from the informants.
ii. This method ensures greater accuracy of information because the
investigator can clear up doubts and misunderstandings of the
informants about certain question on the spot itself.
iii. Various kinds of supplementary information can be collected about the
informant’s personal characteristics & environment through personal
interview.
iv. This method is elastic, because the investigator can use the different
techniques as the situation demands.
v. Due to face to face meeting the data obtained is likely to more reliable
there is uniformity in collection of data.
vi. The language of communication can be adopted according to the status
of education level of the informat.

Demerits :-

i. It can be more expensive when the number of persons to be

interviewed is large and they are spread over a large
geographical area.

ii The chances of consuming prejudice and bias are more.

iii It is more time consuming. This is due to the fact that the interview can
be held only at the convenience of he informants.

iv. The success of observation method in particular depends among other

things upon the personal qualities of the curiosity & capability of
understanding the psychological & instinctive reactions of those whom
the interviews.
 [b]Indirect Investigation: - In this method, the investigator gets the
information indirectly. He gets information about certain
individual form

third person who possesses complete knowledge of the individuals.

The success of this method depends not only the investigator but also
on informants. It is useful when the field of inquiry in a large case..

But the greatest drawback of this method is that the informants may not
give reliable information and the answers may be received which are
elusive. This method gives us approximate result.

Merits :-

i. It can be used when the area of investigation is large.

ii. It is not open to bias.
iii. It is economical in terms of time, money and labour.
iv. The information obtained is very useful in reaching at certain
complex results.

Demerits :-

i. The information may be suspicious and away firm reality.

ii. The information may answer the questions carelessly which, local
affect the degree of accuracy.

[C] Information Through Correspondents:- Under this method local agents or

correspondents are appointed by the investigation authority at different
place under investigation to collect the information. This method is
generally adopted by News Paper Agency. Although this method is cheap
but not much reliable. This method useful where accuracy is not Prime
Importance.
 Merits :-

i. This is most economical.

ii. This method is useful in the case of extensive investigation.

Demerits :-

i. The data collected may be reliable because of personal prejudice and

bias of the correspondents.
ii. There is lack of uniformity in data collected by this method.

[d] Investigation Through Questionnaires :-

[1] Sent by Post :- Under method, a list of questions called

questionnaires printed and posted. These persons are requested to fill up
and return the same to the appointed authority. This success of this
method depends upon information. This method is useful only in the
countries where people are literate and feel their responsibilities. The only
defect in is that most of the information is not likely to take the serious
matter.

Merits :-

i. This method can be easily adopted where the areas of investigation is

very vast.
ii. It is an economical in terms of money, labour and time spent
provided the informats respond in time.

iii. It is sometimes possible to get certain information by post that will

not be obtained personally.
Demerits :-

iv. This method has very little scope where there is a high percentage of
illiteracy.

v. The accuracy and reliability of the data can not be determined.

vi. Informants may show lack of interest in participating with the

information.

vii. Supplementary questions cannot be asked.

[2] Sent Through Enumerators: - Here trained enumerator are

appointed for the purpose of investigation. The enumerators
personally contact the informants, get replied to the questions. This
method is adopted by the Govt. for population census and family
budget inquiries.

Merits:-

i. This method is quit suitable where informants are illiterate.

ii. The information collected will be more reliable and accurate as the
statements given by information can be checked on the spot itself by
cross examination and by supplementary questions.
iii. There is a very little non-response on the part of informants as the
enumerators personally obtained the information.

Demerits :-

i. This method is the costliest of all the methods of collecting Primary

Data as the enumerators are paid for their services.
ii. Personal bias of the enumerators may lead to false conclusions.
iii. It is time consuming method as the enumerators have to meet the
informants according to the latter’s convenience.
iv. The quality of information collected largely depends upon the
personal qualities, unbiased attitude, courtesy and tact of
enumerators.

 Requisites of a Good Questionnaires :-

i Questionnaire should be of proper size ,it is difficult to deal with big

size questionnaire if the size is too small that it is difficult to adjust
the number of question in that size.

ii. Heading and title should be clear.

iii. Each word & phrased used in questionnaire should fully

understandable.

iv. Standard of accuracy required in case of the questions are:-

a] Questionnaire should be of proper size, it is difficult to deal

with big size.

b] They should be easy to understand and easy to answer.

c] They must be few in numbers.

d] They must be directly related to inquiry.

e] They should be such that answers can be given either in yes or

not or on one of the given alternative.

f] They must not be related with confidential information of

individual.

g] They should not effect the feelings of the informats.

 Moreover a latter of request should be attached with
questionnaire and accuracy must be given to keep information
confidence.

 SOURCE OF COLLECTION SECONDARY DATA :-

1. Official publications & Reports of Central and State Governments:-

Some of the importance publications are Census of India, Reserve
Bank of India, Bulletin, Statistical Abstracts of the States, Report on
Current and Finance, Statistical Abstract of India, Indian Trade
Journal etc.

2. International Publication:- Foreign Government and international

agencies publish regular reports such as U.N.O. Statistical year Book
Annual reports of the international labor Organization, International
Finance Corporation, International Monetary Fund (IMF), World
Bank. Demography Year Book, W.H.O etc.

3. Semi Official Publication :- Semi Government institutions such as

Municipalities, Corporations, Block and Panchayat Samities publish
data regarding birth and death ,health and senitation and other
related subjects

4 Committee reports: - The government appoints inquiry commission

to find out the expert views on matters of great importance.
5 Private publications:- The private research institute & commercial
institutions also supply data on the currents economic & other
situations. Some of them are follows.

a) Trade association like Indian chambers of commerce &

Industries, various trade unions, stock exchange, banks, etc.

b) Newspaper & Magazines such as the Economic Times, The

Eastern Economics, capital commence, India journal of
economic, etc.

c) Research institutions such as Universities, Indian statistical

institute, National council of applied & Economic Research,
Institute of Economic Growth, etc.

d) Annual and periodical reports of joint stock companies.

e) Markets reports and trade bulletins.

 PRECAUTIONS FOR USE OF SECONDARY DATA:-

We know that secondary data are already collected by some one

else. So secondary data are obtained from source like publications.

As secondary data are collected by some one else they may be

inadequate and inaccurate, before we use such data we must take
care about of such data.

They must be suitable, adequate, and reliable for the purpose of

inquiry.
 Editing Secondary Data:- The Secondary data should not be blindly
accepted. Before making use of such data. The investigator must
satisfy himself about the following aspect: - i] whether the data are
suitable for the purpose of investigation in view. Before using
secondary data the investigator must ensure that the data are
suitable for the purpose of the inquiry. The suitability of data can be
judged in the light of the nature & scope of investigation. [ii]
Whether the data are adequate. The adequacy of existing data may
be known by studying the geographical area covered by the original
inquiry and the expected coverage of the present inquiry. For
example, to study the trend for exports form India for the last 15
years, if data for the last 2or 3 years are not available, the data would
be inadequate for the purpose. [iii] Whether the data are reliable, in
order to know the reliability of data, the integrity and experience of
the collecting organization, the purpose method of collection, degree
of accuracy & test checking must be ascertained.

 Editing Primary Data:-

The schedules which are returned by the informats or enumerators

should be scrutinized thoroughly which a view to detects errors,
omissions and inconsistencies. If any schedule is found to be
defective, either it should be sent back for correction or rejected In
no case defective schedule be accepted for analysis. Normally the
investigator should not collect the schedules himself, unless he has
reasonable grounds for correction.
 Define: Investigator: - investigator (or enumerator) is a person who
collects the information.
 Define: Informant (Respondent):- A person who files the
questionnaire or supplies the required information.
 Official statistics:-
(a)International bodies such as the ‘World Bank’, International Labor
organization’, statistical office of the United Nations’.

(b) Central and state Governments such as Abstract of the Indian

Union, Economic survey of India, India 1988-89, etc.

c) Reports of the Ad-hoc committees and commission appointed by

the Government such as Sarkaria committee, seventh pay
commission, etc.

d) Semi : - official statistics (publications) of various local bodies

such as Municipal corporations and district Boards.