COLLECTION OF DATA

1. Primary and Secondary Sources of Data

There are two sources of data:
(i) Primary Source, and
(ii) Secondary Source

Primary Source: You want to know about the quality of life of the people in your
town. Primary Source of data implies collection of data from its source of origin.
It offers you first-hand quantitative information relating to your statistical study.
Primary source of data implies collection of data from its source of origin. It
offers you first-hand quantitative information relating to your statistical study.
Secondary Source: Secondary source of data implies collection of data from some
agency or institution which already happens to have collected the data through
statistical survey(s). It does not offer you first-hand information relating to your
statistical study. You are to rely on the information which is already existing.
Primary & Secondary Data:-
Primary Data: Data collected by the investigator for his own purpose, for
the first time, from beginning to end, are called primary data. "Date
originally collected in the process of investigation are known as primary
data. "Secondary Data: "Secondary data are those which are already in
existence, and which have been collected, for some other purpose than
the answering of the question in hand." "Data collected by other persons
are called secondary data.“

Principal Differences between Primary and Secondary Data:-

The following are some principal differences between primary and
secondary data:
(1) Difference in Originality
(2) Difference in the Suitability of Objectives
(3) Difference in Cost of Collection
2. How Basic Data is Collected
Some Statistical Methods/Modes of Data Collection
Methods of collecting primary data:
‣ Direct Personal Investigation
‣ Indirect Oral Investigation
‣ Information from Local Sources or Correspondents
‣ Information through Questionnaires and Schedules
(i) Mailing Method, and (ii) Enumerator's Method.

DIRECT PERSONAL INVESTIGATION:

The direct personal investigation is the method by which data are
personally collected by the investigator from the informants. In other
words, the investigator establishes direct relation with the persons
from whom the information is to be obtained.
Merits:
(1) Originality: Data have a high degree of originality.
(2) Accuracy: Data are fairly accurate when personally collected.
(3) Reliability: Because the information is collected by the
investigator himself, reliability of the data is not doubted.
(4) Related Information: When in direct contact with the
informants, the investigator may obtain other related
information as well.
(5) Uniformity: There is a fair degree of uniformity in the data
collected by the investigator himself from the informants. It
facilitates comparison.
(6) Elastic: This method is fairly elastic because the investigator
can always make necessary adjustments in his set of questions.
Demerits:
(1) Difficult to Cover Wide Areas: Direct personal
investigation becomes very difficult when the area of the
study is very wide.
(2) Personal Bias: This method is highly prone to
personal bias of the investigator. As a result, the data
may lose their credibility.
(3) Costly: This method is very expensive in terms of the
time, money and efforts involved.
(4) Limited Coverage: In this method, area of
investigation is generally small.
Demerits:
(1) Difficult to Cover Wide Areas: Direct personal
investigation becomes very difficult when the area of the
study is very wide.
(2) Personal Bias: This method is highly prone to
personal bias of the investigator. As a result, the data
may lose their credibility.
(3) Costly: This method is very expensive in terms of the
time, money and efforts involved.
(4) Limited Coverage: In this method, area of
investigation is generally small.
INDIRECT ORAL INVESTIGATION
Indirect oral investigation 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.

Merits:
(1) Wide Coverage: This method can be applied even when the field of
investigation is very wide.
(2) Less Expensive: This is relatively a less expensive method as
compared to Direct Personal Investigation.
(3) Expert Opinion: Using this method an investigator can seek opinion
of the experts and thereby can make his information more reliable.
(4) Free from Bias: This method is relatively free from the
personal bias of the investigator.
(5) Simple: This is relatively a simple approach of data
collection.

Demerits:
(1) Less Accurate: The data collected by this method are
relatively less accurate.
(2) Biased: There is possibility of personal bias of the
witnesses giving information.
(3) Doubtful Conclusions: This method may lead to doubtful
conclusions due to carelessness of the witnesses.
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.

Merits:
(1) Economical: This method is quite economical in terms of time,
money or efforts involved.
(2) Wide Coverage: This method allows a fairly wide coverage of
investigation.
(3) Continuity: The correspondents keep on supplying almost regular
information.
(4) Suitable for Special Purpose: This method is particularly suitable
for some special-purpose investigations.
Demerits:
(1) Loss of Originality: Originality of data is sacrificed owing
to the Tack of personal contact with the respondents.
(2) Lack of Uniformity: There is lack of uniformity of data.
This is because data is collected by a number of
correspondents.
(3) Personal Bias: This method suffers from the personal
bias of the correspondents.
(4) Less Accurate: The data collected by this method are not
very accurate.
(5) Delay in Collection: Generally, there is a delay in the
collection of information through this method.
INFORMATION THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES AND SCHEDULES
Under this method, the investigator prepares a questionnaire
keeping in view the objective of the enquiry. There are two ways
of collecting information on the basis of questionnaire:
(1) Mailing Method, and
(2) Enumerator's Method.

(1) 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. The informant notes the answers against the questions
and returns the completed questionnaire to the investigator.
Merits:
(i) Economical: This method is economical in terms of time, money and efforts
involved.
(ii) Original: This method is original and therefore, fairly reliable. This is
because the information is duly supplied by the concerned persons themselves.
(iii) Wide Coverage: This method allows wide coverage of the area of study.

Demerits:
(i) Lack of Interest: Generally, the informants do not take interest in
questionnaires and fail to return the questionnaires.
(ii) Lack of Flexibility: This method lacks flexibility. When questions are not
properly replied, these cannot be changed to obtain the required information.
(iii) Limited Use: This method has limited use owing to the fact that the
questionnaires can be answered only by the educated informants.
(iv) Biased: If the informants are biased, then the information will also be
biased.
(2) 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.

Merits:
(i) Wide Coverage: This method is capable of a wide coverage in terms of the area
involved. Even illiterates can furnish the required information.
(ii) Accuracy: There is a fair degree of accuracy in the results. This is because
investigations are done by specialized enumerators.
(iii) Personal Contact: Unlike in the case of mailing questionnaires, there is
personal contact with the informants in this method. Accordingly, accurate and
right answers are obtained.
(iv) Impartiality: This method is impartial. This is because the enumerators
themselves do not need the required information, so they are impartial to the
nature of information that they obtain.
Demerits:
(i) Expensive: This is a very expensive method of investigation
because of the involvement of trained investigators.
(ii) Availability of Enumerators: Competent enumerators may not
be available. Accuracy of the information accordingly suffers.
(iii) Time Consuming: Enumerators may need specialized training
for particular investigation. The process of investigation thus
becomes time consuming.
(iv) Not Suitable for Private Investigation: Since this method is
very expensive, it is generally not suitable for private
investigation. This method is generally used by the Government
institutions.
(v) Partial: If the enumerators are biased, then the data will not be
accurate.
Qualities of a Good Questionnaire:
Following are some of the desired qualities of a good
questionnaire:
(1) Limited Number of Questions: The number of questions in a
questionnaire should be as limited as possible.
(2) Simplicity: Language of the questions should be simple, lucid
and clear. Mathematical questions must be avoided.
(3) Proper Order of the Questions: Questions must be placed in a
proper order.
(4) No Undesirable Questions: Undesirable questions or personal
questions must be avoided. The questions should not offend the
informants.
(5) Non-Controversial: Questions should be such as can be
answered impartially. No controversial questions should be asked.
(6) Calculations: Questions involving calculations by the
respondents must be avoided. Investigator himself should do the
calculation job.
(7) Pre-Testing Pilot Survey: Some questions be asked from the
informants on trial basis. If their answers involve some difficulty
these can be reframed accordingly. Such testing is technically
called pilot survey.
(8) Instructions: A questionnaire must show clear instructions for
filling in the form.