Methods of Data Collection

What is Data Collection?

• 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.
• Data collection is essential to analyze the performance of a
business unit, solving a problem and making assumptions about
specific things when required.
• Before going into the methods of data collection, let us
understand what data collection is and how it helps in various
fields.The primary importance of data collection in any research or
business process is that it helps to determine many important
things about the company, particularly the performance. So, the
data collection process plays an important role in all the streams.
 Data Collection Methods
• The data collection methods allow a person to conclude an
answer to the relevant question. Most of the organizations use
data collection methods to make assumptions about future
probabilities and trends. Once the data is collected, it is necessary
to undergo the data organization process.

• The main sources of the data collections methods are “Data”.

Data can be classified into two types, namely primary data and
secondary data.
 TYPES OF DATA
• PRIMARY DATA : Are those which are collected fresh and for the first time
and thus happen to be original in character, the original data – from the first
source, it is like raw material. Examples of primary data sources are:
• Interview (personal interview, telephone, e-mail)
• Self-administered surveys and questionnaires
• Field observation, Experiments, Life histories
• SECONDARY DATA : Are those which have been collected by someone else
and which have already been passed through the statistical process.
• Example of secondary data sources are:
• Publications of Central, state , local government • Technical and trade
journals • Books, Magazines, Newspaper • Reports & publications of
industry ,bank, stock exchange • Reports by research scholars, Universities,
economist • Public Records
 Categories of Data Collection Method
• Primary Data Collection Methods
• Primary data or raw data is a type of information that is obtained
directly from the first-hand source through experiments, surveys
or observations.

• The primary data collection method is further classified into two

types. They are
• Quantitative Data Collection Methods
• Qualitative Data Collection Methods
• Quantitative Data Collection Methods
• It is based on mathematical calculations using various formats like
close-ended questions, correlation and regression methods,
mean, median or mode measures. This method is cheaper than
qualitative data collection methods and it can be applied in a short
duration of time.
• Qualitative Data Collection Methods
• It does not involve any mathematical calculations. This method is
closely associated with elements that are not quantifiable. This
qualitative data collection method includes interviews,
questionnaires, observations, case studies, etc.
 Secondary Data Collection Methods

• Secondary data is data collected by someone other than the

actual user. It means that the information is already available, and
someone analyses it.

• The secondary data includes magazines, newspapers, books,

journals, etc. It may be either published data or unpublished data.
 Published and Unpublished Data
• Published data are available in various resources including
• Government publications
• Public records
• Historical and statistical documents
• Business documents
• Technical and trade journals
• Unpublished data includes
• Diaries
• Letters
• Unpublished biographies, etc.
 Factors to be considered before using secondary data

• Reliability of data – Who, when , which methods, at what time etc.

• Suitability of data – Object ,scope, and nature of original inquiry
should be studied, as if the study was with different objective then
that data is not suitable for current study
• Adequacy of data– Level of accuracy,
• Area differences then data is not adequate for study
 Collection of Primary and Secondary Data
• Primary Data • There are several methods of collecting primary
data, particularly in surveys and descriptive researches.
• In descriptive research, done through observation or direct
communication with respondents or personal interviews.

• Secondary Data • These are already available i.e. they refer to the
data which have already been collected and analyzed by
someone else, this can either be published or unpublished data.
• Researcher must be very careful in using secondary data,
because the data available may be sometimes unsuitable.
 Methods of collecting primary data
• 1. Observation method
• 2. Interview method
• 3. Questionnaire
• 4. Case study method
• 5. Survey method
 Observation Method
• A participatory study, because the researcher has to establish a
link with the respondent and to immerse herself in the setting
where her respondents are, while taking notes and/or recording.
• Described as a method to observe and describe the behavior of a
subject.
• A way of collecting relevant information and data by observing.
• Used when the study relates to behavioural science.
• This method is planned systematically. It is subject to many
controls and checks.
 TYPES OF OBSERVATION
• Structured and Unstructured Observation
• Controlled & Uncontrolled Observation
• Participant & Non Participant Observation
• Controlled & Uncontrolled Observation
 Structured and Unstructured Observation
• Structured Observation • When observation is done by
characterizing style of recording the observed information,
standardized conditions of observation , definition of the units to
be observed , selection of pertinent data of observation, refers to
a technique in which an observer observes events using a guide
that has been planned in advance.

• Unstructured Observation
• • When observation is done without any thought before
observation, to observe and record behaviour in a holistic way
without the use of a pre-determined guide.
 Controlled & Uncontrolled Observation
• Controlled Observation • When observation takes place according
to definite pre arranged plans , with experimental procedure and
generally done in laboratory under controlled condition.

• Uncontrolled Observation • When the observation takes place in

natural condition. It is done to get spontaneous picture of life and
persons
 Participant & Non Participant Observation
• Participant Observation • When the Observer is member of the group which
he is observing.
• Researcher can record natural behavior of group , Researcher can verify the
truth of statements given by informants in the context of questionnaire ,
• Difficult to collect information can obtain through this method but in this
researcher may loose objectivity of research due emotional feelings. Prob. of
control in observation isn’t solved.

• Non Participant Observation • When observer is observing people without

giving any information to them then it is non participant observation
 Controlled & Uncontrolled Observation
• Controlled
• it is carried out either in the laboratory or in the field. It is typified
by clear and explicit decisions on what, how, and when to
observe. It is primarily used for inferring causality, and testing
casual hypothesis.

• Uncontrolled
• This does not involve over extrinsic and intrinsic variables.
• It is primarily used for descriptive research. Participant
observation is a typical uncontrolled one.
 INTERVIEW METHOD
• This method of collecting data involves presentation or oral-verbal
stimuli and reply in terms of oral-verbal responses.
• This is oral verbal communication . Where interviewer asks
questions( which are aimed to get information required for study )
to respondent.
• There are different type of interviews as follows :
• Personal Interviews The interviewer asks questions generally in a
face to face mode to the other person.
• Telephonic Interviews In this method, an interviewer obtains
information by contacting people on the telephone to ask the
questions or views orally, contacting samples on telephone
• Structured interviews in this case, a set of pre- decided questions
are there.
• Unstructured interviews : in this case, we don’t follow a system of
pre-determined questions.
• Focused interviews attention is focused on the given experience
of the respondent and its possible effects.
• Clinical interviews concerned with broad underlying feelings or
motivations or with the course of individual’s life experience,
rather than with the effects of the specific experience, as in the
case of focused interview.
• Group interviews a group of 6 to 8 individuals is interviewed.

• Individual interviews interviewer meets a single person and interviews

him.

• Selection interviews done for the selection of people for certain jobs.

• Depth interviews it deliberately aims to elicit unconscious as well as

other types of material relating especially to personality dynamics and
motivations.
 QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
• In this method, the set of questions are mailed to the respondent.
They should read, reply and subsequently return the
questionnaire.
• Questions are printed in definite order, mailed to samples who
are expected to read that questions understand the questions and
write the answers in provided space .
 Essentials of Good Questionnaire

• Should Short & simple Questions

• Should arranged in logical sequence (From Easy to difficult one).
• Technical terms should be avoided.
• Questions affecting the sentiments should be avoided.
• Adequate space for answers should be provided in questionnaire
Directions regarding the filling of questionnaire should be given.
 HOW TO CONSTRUCT A QUESTIONNAIRE
• Researcher should note the following with regard to these
three main aspects of a questionnaire:
• General form • Question Sequence
• Determine the type the Questions
• A) Direct Question
• B) Indirect Question
• C) Open Form Questionnaire
• D) Closed Form Questionnaire • E) Dichotomous Questions
• F) Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
• Depth Interview To discover the underlying motives or desires of
samples .
• To explore needs , feelings of respondents. Skill is required ,
indirect question or projective techniques are used to know
behavior of the respondent.
• Content Analysis analyzing contents of documentary material as
news paper , books , magazines about certain characteristics to
identify and count
• CASE STUDY METHOD • It is essentially an intensive
investigation of the particular unit under consideration. Its
important characteristics are as follows : a) the researcher can
take one single social unit or more of such units for his study
purpose. b) the selected unit is studied intensively i.e. it is studied
in minute details.
• SURVEY METHOD • One of the common methods of diagnosing
and solving of social problems is that of undertaking surveys. •
Festinger and Kat of the opinion that, “Many research problems
require systematic collection of data from population through the
use of personal interviews or other data gathering devices”.