Chapter – 2

Collection of Data
Statistics means data or quantitative information capable of some
meaningful conclusions.
Primary and Secondary sources of data –
Primary Sources of data – It implies collection of data from its source of
origin. It offers you first – hand quantitative information relating to your
statistical study.

Secondary Sources of data – It implies obtaining the relevant statistical

information from an agency, or an institution, which is already of possession of
that information.

Primary data – Data collected by the investigator from his own purpose, for the
first time, from beginning to end, are called primary data.
Secondary data – These are those which are already in existence and which
have been collected, for some other purpose than the answering of the question
in hand.
Principal difference b/w primary and secondary data –
i) Difference in originality
ii) Difference in the suitability of objectives
iii) Difference in the cost of collection.

Some Statistical methods –

A) Direct Personal Investigation –
It is the method by which data are personally collected by
the investigator from the informants.

Suitability –
i) The field of investigation is limited or not very large.
ii) A greater degree of originality of the data is required.
iii) Information is to be kept secret.
iv) Accuracy of data is of great significance and
v) When direct contact with the informants is required.
Merits –
i) Originality ii) Accuracy
iii) Reliability iv) Related information
v) Uniformity vi) Elastic.

Demerits –
i) Difficult to cover wide areas ii) Personal Bias
iii) Costly iv) Limited coverage.

B) Indirect Oral Investigation –

It is the method by which information is obtained not from the
persons regarding whom the information is needed. It is collected orally
from other persons who are expected to possess the necessary
information. These other persons are known as witnesses.
Suitability –
i) The field of investigation is relatively large.
ii) It is not possible to have direct contact with the concerned
informants.
iii) The concerned informants are not capable of giving information
because of their ignorance or illiteracy.
iv) Investigation is so complex in nature that only experts can give
information.
This method is mostly used by government or non-
government committees or commissions.
Merits –
i) Wide coverage ii) Less expensive iii) Expert opinion iv) Free
from bias v) Simple.
Demerits –
i) Less accurate ii) Biased iii) Doubtful conclusions.
 Difference between direct personal
investigation and indirect oral investigation –
i) Direct contact with the informants.
ii) The field of investigation.
iii) Direct investigation is relatively costlier than the
indirect investigation.
iv) The investigator must be well versed in the language
and cultural habits of the informants.
C) Information from Local Sources or Correspondents –
Under this method, the investigator appoints local
persons or correspondents at different places. They collect
information in their own way and furnish the same to the
investigator.
Suitability –
i) Regular and continuous information is needed.
ii) The area is investigation is large.
iii) The information is to be used by journals, magazines,
radio, T.V. etc.
iv) A very high degree of accuracy of information is not
required.
Merits –
i) Economical ii) Wide coverage iii) Continuity
iv) Suitable for special purpose like index number.
Demerits –
i) Loss of originality ii) Lack of uniformity
iii) Personal bias iv) Less accurate
v) Delay in collection.
D) Information through Questionnaires and Schedule –
Under this method, the investigator prepares a questionnaire
keeping in view the objective of the inquiry.
There are two ways – i) Mailing Method and
ii) Enumerator’s Method.
i) Mailing Method –
Under this method, questionnaires are mailed to the
informants. A letter is attached with the questionnaire giving the
purpose of enquiry. It is also assured that the information would
be kept secret.
Suitability –
i) The area of the study is very wide, and
ii) The informants are educated.
Merits –
i) Economical ii) Original
iii) Wide coverage
Demerits –
i) Lack of interest ii) Lack of flexibility
iii) Limited use iv) Biased
v) Less accuracy.
ii) Enumerator’s Method –
Under this method, a questionnaire is prepared according
to the purpose of enquiry. The enumerator himself approaches the
informant with the questionnaire. The questionnaires which are
filled by the enumerators themselves by putting questions are called
schedules.
Suitability –
i) The field of investigation is large
ii) The investigation needs specialised and skilled investigators
iii) the investigators are well versed in the local language and
cultural norms of the informants.
Merits –
i) Wide coverage
ii) Accuracy
iii) Personal contact
iv) Impartiality
v) Completeness

Demerits –
i) Expensive
ii) Availability of enumerators
iii) Not suitable for private investigation
iv) Partial
Investigator –
Investigator is a person who plans and conducts an
empirical investigation independently or with the help of others.
Enumerator –
Enumerator is a person who actually collects the desired
statistical information or statistical data. Often the enumerators are
trained personnel hired by for field work.
Respondent –
Respondent is a person who answers / responds to the set of
questions included in the questionnaire.
Difference between a Questionnaire and a Schedule –
Both show a set of questions. But in case of a questionnaire,
the answers are to be recorded / written by the respondents
themselves, while in the case of a schedule, answers are to be
written / recorded by the enumerators specifically hired for the
purpose.
Qualities of a good questionnaire –
i) Limited number of questions
ii) Simplicity
iii) Proper order of the questions
iv) No undesirable questions
v) Non – controversial
vi) calculations
vii) Pre – Testing Pilot survey
viii) Instructions
ix) Cross verification
x) Request for return
Types of Questions –
i) Simple Alternative Questions
ii) Multiple Choice Questions
iii) Specific Information Questions
iv) Open Questions

Pilot survey –
It is to a try-out covering a very small sample of the universe of the
study. This is a sort of pre-testing of your questionnaire. This helps
you to assess quality of your questionnaire and the way respondents
respond to the set of questions. Accordingly you are able to know in
advance the shortcomings / drawbacks of your questionnaire.
Required changes in the questionnaire may be introduced before
you are set out for a final survey.
Pilot Survey helps –
i) in assessing the quality and suitability of questions.
ii) in assessing performance of the enumerators.
iii) in designing a set of instructions for the enumerators.
iv) in assessing the cost and time involved in the final survey.
Main sources of errors in collection of data –
i) Errors related to the measurement of objects which may occur
when: a) the scale of measurement happens to be different for
different enumerators, and b) different enumerators may be
allowing different degree of approximation in their measurement,
even while using identical scale.
ii) Errors occurring due to wrong responses simply because the
respondents are not able to handle / understand the questions
precisely. iii) Errors occurring due to the lack of response. Some
respondents may not respond to the questionnaire. iv) Errors
occurring due to miscalculations, also called arithmetical errors.
Collection of Secondary Data – There are two main sources of
secondary data:
(A) Published Sources and (B) Unpublished Sources
(A) Published Sources –
i) Government Publications – Annual Survey of Industries,
Agricultural Statistics of India, Labour Gazette etc.
ii) Semi – Government Publications – Published by Municipalities
and Metropolitan Councils.
iii) Reports of Commissions and Committees
iv) Publications of Trade Associations
v) Publications of Research Institutions
vi) Journals and Papers
vii) Publications of Research Scholars
viii) International Publications
(B) Unpublished Sources –
These data are collected by the government organisations
and others, generally for their self use or office record. These data
are not published.

Precautions in the use of Secondary data –

i) Ability of the Collecting Organisation
ii) Objectives and Scope
iii) Methods of Collection
iv) Time and Conditions of Collection
v) Definition of the Unit
vi) Accuracy
As stated by Bowley, “It is never safe to take published
statistics at their face value without knowing their meaning and
limitations.”
Two Important Sources of Secondary Data –
i) Census of India –
It is a decennial publication of the government of India. It is
published by Registrar General and Census Commissioner, India. It
relates to population size and the various aspects of demographic
changes in India. Its parameters are:

a) Size, growth rate and distribution of population in India.

b) Population projections.
c) Density of population.
d) Gender composition of population.
e) State of literacy.
ii) Reports and Publications of National Sample Survey Organisation
(NSSO) –
It is another important source of secondary data in India. NSSO is
a government organisation under the Ministry of Statistics and
Programme Implementation. This organisation conducts regular sample
surveys to collect basic statistical information relating to a variety of
economic activity in rural as well as urban parts of country.
The statistical data collected by NSSO are released through its
quarterly journal, called SARVEKSHANA and its reports, popularly
known as NSSO Reports. Its parameters are:
i) Land and Livestock Holdings.
ii) Housing conditions and Migration with special emphasis on slum
dwellers.
iii) Employment and Unemployment status in India.
iv) Consumer Expenditure in India, including level and pattern of
consumer expenditure of diverse categories
of the people. v) Sources of Household income in India.
Important Questions –
1. Discuss any six essential characteristics of a good questionnaire.
2. What precautions would you take before making use of
secondary data?
3. Explain the statistical method which is collected by witnesses.
Write two demerits of such method.
4. When the Direct Personal Investigation method for collecting
primary data is suitable? Discuss any three.
5. Write three principal differences between primary data &
secondary data.