CENTRE POINT SCHOOL

Class XI Statistics for Economics

Chapter 2: COLLECTION OF DATA

E-Learning Material
Content as per syllabus:
Unit 2: Collection of data - sources of data - primary and secondary;
how basic data is collected with concepts of Sampling; methods of
collecting data; some important sources of secondary data: Census of
India and National Sample Survey Organization.
What do you mean by ‘Statistical Enquiry?
By statistical enquiry, we mean an investigation on a topic by an
agency wherein relevant quantitative information is collected.
Thus, statistical inquiry implies search of truth with the aid of
statistical methods of collection, compilation, analysis,
interpretation, etc. For any statistical inquiry the basic problem is
to collect data, facts and figures relating to a particular
phenomenon under study.

 What do you mean by survey?

Survey is a method of gathering information from individuals. The
purpose of the survey is to collect data to describe some
characteristics like price, quality, usefulness, popularity, honesty,
etc. Survey is conducted by asking questions about a particular
product or candidate from a large group of people.
  What are the various sources of data?
Sources of Data

INTERNAL SOURCES EXTERNAL SOURCES

PRIMARY DATA SECONDARY DATA

(i) INTERNAL SOURCES: In an organization when the data is

collected from its reports and records, it is known as internal
sources of data. For example - A company publishes its annual
report on profit and loss, total sales, loans, wages, etc. Data
collected and compiled through internal sources is called internal
data.
(ii) EXTERNAL SOURCES: External sources refer to the data from
outside the organization. For example - If a tour and travels
company obtain information on UP tourism from UP Transport
Corporation, it is known as external source of data. External data
can be collected from primary as well as secondary sources.

 Discuss the two types of external sources.

(a)PRIMARY DATA: Primary data are those data which are
collected for the first time by an investigator or agency for some
specific purpose. The source from which the primary data is
collected is known as primary source.
(b)SECONDARY DATA: Data published or unpublished which
have already been collected and processed by some agency or
person and taken over from there and used by any other agency for
their statistical work is known as secondary data.
  Differentiate between Primary and Secondary Data.

Points of Primary Data Secondary data

difference
1. Originality Primary data are Secondary data is not
original as they are original since
collected by the investigator makes use
investigator himself of the data collected by
other agencies

2. Source Primacy Data are Secondary data has

collected by some already been collected
agency or person and processed by some
by using the person or agency and is
methods of data ready for use
collection.
3. Time It requires longer It requires less time for
factor time for data to be data collection
collected
4. Reliability It is more reliable It is less reliable and
and and suitable as suitable as someone else
suitability investigator himself has collected it which
collects it. may not serve the
purpose
5. There is no great Secondary data must be
need of precautions used with great care and
Precaution while using caution
s primary data
6. Cost Costly as Cheaper as enumerators
enumerators have are not required
to be hired and
trained
 This topic can be recapitulated with the help of the following
questions—
Give suitable heading for the following statements—
The data which are collected for the first time.  Primary
The data which are collected by someone and used by others. 
Secondary
These data are available in the form of published reports. 
Secondary
These data are collected for a definite purpose.  Primary
(a) Let’s say you were researching trauma in burn
survivors; You would typically begin your study by going
through the literature on the subject. Data gleaned both
from published papers and unpublished research notes
would be  secondary data.
(b) If you took a trip to a trauma unit and interviewed burn
survivors, the data collected in that phase of your
research would be  primary data.
(c) If one of your interviewees puts you in touch with a burn
survivor support group, and you are given access to a
database of information about the psychological state of a
large group of survivors in the years following the burn
incident, that would be  secondary data.

 Qualities of a good questionnaire used for surveys.

The questionnaire is either self-administered by the respondent or by the
investigator/enumerator. While preparing the questionnaire, following
points to be kept in mind—
 Qualities of a good questionnaire
(i) The questionnaire shouldn’t be too long. The number of
questions should be as minimum as possible
(ii) The series of questions should move from general to specific.
The questionnaire should start from general and proceed to
move to specific one
(iii) The questions should be precise and clear.
(iv) The questions should not be ambiguous. This should enable the
respondents to answer quickly, correctly and clearly.
(v) The questions should not use double negatives. The questions
starting with “wouldn’t you” or “Don’t you” should be avoided.
(vi) The questions should not be the leading ones which give a clue
about how the respondent should answer.
(vii) The questionnaire may consist of closed-ended questions or
open-ended questions.
Activity / HW: Students to frame a questionnaire on a given topic. E.g.
Survey by a noodles company.

 Methods of collecting primary data

1. Personal Interview
In direct personal investigation or personal interview, the investigator
has to collect the information personally from the source concerned. For
example—Hindustan Unilever Ltd. wishes to conduct a statistical
enquiry regarding soap used by the people of Delhi
(a)Merits of this method
i. Originality: The data collected is original in
character.
ii. Reliable and accurate: This method facilitates
collection of authentic and reliable information.
iii. Flexibility: The investigator can vary the nature of
question and seek different kinds of information
according to the need of the situation.
iv. The enumerator can gauge additional information by
observing the facial expressions of the respondent.
v. The enumerator can ask the respondent for
clarification or justification in case of ambiguity of
response.
vi. Ambiguity in the questions can be clarified by
respondent from the enumerator before response.

(b)Demerits of this method

i. Not suitable for wide areas: This method is not
suitable when the area of coverage is considerably
wide or when many respondents are to be contacted.
ii. Expensive and time consuming: This method is
expensive and time consuming when the field of
investigation is large.
iii. Personal Prejudice: The prejudice of investigators
can affect the accuracy of data to a large extent.
There is a possibility of influencing respondents.
iv. The respondent may not take sufficient time to give
thoughtful answers to the questions.
Suitability of this method
i. When area of investigation is limited.
ii. When nature of enquiry is confidential.
iii. When importance is given to originality.
2.MAILING QUESTIONNAIRE
When data is collected by mail (post), the questionnaire is sent to each
individual by mail with a request to complete and return it by a given
date.
(a)Advantages
i. It is less expensive as enumerators need not be hired and
trained.
ii. It allows the researchers to have access to people in remote
areas.
iii. It doesn’t allow influencing of the respondents by the
enumerators.
iv. The respondent may take sufficient time to give thoughtful
answers to the questions.

(b)Disadvantages 
i. There is less opportunity to provide assistance in clarifying
instructions, so there is a possibility of misunderstanding of
the questions.
ii. There is a possibility of not returning the questionnaire or
returning the questionnaire in an incomplete manner.
iii. The questionnaire may be lost in the mail itself.
 iv. Facial expressions cannot be observed to gain supplementary
information.
v. Additional information or clarification cannot be collected.

3.TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS
In telephone interview, the investigator asks questions over the
telephone.
(a)Advantages
i. Cheaper than personal interviews and conducted in a short
span of time.
ii. Survey can be conducted for a wider range of respondents.
iii. Opportunity of clarifying the question/instruction and
elaboration of explanation is available.
iv. It is better in the cases where respondents are reluctant to
answer certain questions in personal interview.
v. Reduces chances of respondent being influenced by presence
of enumerator.

(b)Disadvantages
i. Many people can’t be contacted due to absence of telephone
facility.
ii. Visual reactions of respondents cannot be observed which is
helpful in obtaining information on sensitive issues.
iii. The respondent may not get sufficient time to give thoughtful
answers to the questions.
1.A teacher wants to know about the personality of the students of her
class. Direct personal Investigation
2.An investigator wants to undertake an enquiry of addiction of tobacco
in the society. Indirect oral investigation
3.When the respondents are reluctant to answer certain questions in
personal interviews  Telephonic interview

 What is a Pilot Survey?

Once the questionnaire is ready, a try-out can be conducted with a small
group which is known as pilot survey or pre-testing of questionnaire.
The pilot survey helps in providing primary idea about the survey.

 Census and Sample Surveys

1. Census Method  When a statistical investigation is

conducted where in, the data is collected from each and every
element of the population, it is known as census method.
This method is generally adopted when area of investigation is
limited and an intensive study of the population is required.

Q.Write a note on Census of India.

Census of India
i. The census of India provides the most complete and continuous
demographic record of population.
ii. The census is being regularly conducted every ten years since
1881.
 iii.The first census after independence was conducted in 1951.
iv.The Census officials collect information on various aspects of
population such as the size, density, sex ratio, literacy,
migration, rural-urban distribution, etc.
v. Census data is interpreted and analyzed to understand many
economic and social issues in India.

2. Sample Method  When only some representative items of a

population are selected and data collected from these items are
used for the analysis, the method is known as sampling method.
(a) Random Sampling: As the name suggests, random
sampling is one where the individual units from the
population (samples) are selected at random.
In the random sampling, every individual has an equal
chance of being selected and the individuals who are
selected are just like the ones who are not selected.
This is also called lottery method. The same could be done
using a Random Number Table also.
(b) Non-Random Sampling: In a non-random sampling
method all the units of the population do not have an equal chance
of being selected and convenience or judgement of the investigator
plays an important role in selection of the sample. They are mainly
selected on the basis of judgment, purpose, convenience or quota
and are non-random samples.
Q. Write a short note on National Sample Survey Organization.
i. The NSSO was established by the Government of India to conduct
nation-wide surveys on socio-economic issues.
ii. The NSSO does continuous surveys in successive rounds
iii.The data collected by NSSO are released through reports and its
quarterly journal Sarvekshana.
iv.NSSO provides periodic estimates of literacy, school enrolment,
utilization of educational services, employment, unemployment,
manufacturing and service sector enterprises, morbidity, maternity,
child care, utilization of the public distribution system etc.

ACTIVITY
The students of class XI are required to prepare Projects for
various subjects and soon they would be beginning their research
work for various topics pertaining to different subject. So, they can
be asked to identify and select any one method of collection of data
and discuss in the class how they would use it to collect
information and to enrich their project.