Methods of Data

Collection
Contents
 Introduction of Data
 Purpose of Data Collection
 Methods of Data Collection
 Types of Data
 Observation
 Interview
 Focus Group Discussion
 Differences between Primary & Secondary Data
Introduction
•Data can be defined as the quantitative or qualitative values of a variable.
•Data is plural of datum which literally means to give or something given.
•Data is thought to be the lowest unit of information from which other
measurements and analysis can be done.
•Data can be numbers, images, words, figures, facts or ideas.
• Data in itself cannot be understood and to get information from the data
one must interpret it into meaningful information.
•Data is one of the most important and vital aspect of any research studies.
• Data collection is a term used to describe a process of preparing and collecting data.
• Systematic gathering of data for a particular purpose from various sources, that has been
systematically observed, recorded, organized.
• Data are the basic inputs to any decision making process.

Purpose of Data Collection

• To obtain information 
• To keep on record 
• To make decisions about important issues
• To pass information on to others
Factors to be Considered Before Collection of Data (plan)

• Objectives and scope of the enquiry (research question).

• Sources of information (type,accessibility).
• Quantitative expression(measurement/scale).
• Techniques of data collection.
• Unit of collection.
Methods of Data Collection
Primary Data

•Primary data are original observations collected by the researcher or

by his agent for the first time for any investigation and it is collection of
data from first hand information.
•This type of primary data is mostly pure and original data.
•The primary data is the one type of important data it is useful for
current studies as well as for future studies
 Observation Method
• Observation becomes a scientific tool and the method of data
collection, when it serves a formulated research purpose, is
systematically planned and recorded and is subjected to checks and
controls on validity and reliability.
• Participant Observation – when the observation is characterized by a
careful definition of the units to be observed, the style of recording the
observed information, standardized conditions of observation and the
selection of pertinent data of observation. The respondents role is very
important.
• Non-participant Observation – when it takes place without the above
characteristics.
Interviewing
Method
• The Interview Method of collecting data involves presentation of oral-
verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral – verbal responses. It requires
the interviewer asking questions in a face-to-face contact with the
person.
• Structured Interview - the use of a set of predetermined questions
and highly standardized techniques of recording.
• Unstructured Interview - It do not follow a system of predetermined
questions and standardized techniques of recording information and
it fully based on flexibility and requirements.
Focus Group Discussion (FGD)
• A focus group discussion (FGD) is a good way to gather together people from similar
backgrounds or experiences to discuss a specific topic of interest.
• The group of participants is guided by a moderator (or group facilitator) who
introduces topics for discussion and helps the group to participate in a lively and
natural discussion amongst themselves.
• The strength of FGD relies on allowing the participants to agree or disagree with each
other so that it provides an insight into how a group thinks about an issue, about the
range of opinion and ideas, and the inconsistencies and variation that exists in a
particular community in terms of beliefs and their experiences and practices.
Questionnaire Method
• Questionnaire is the most commonly used method in survey.
Questionnaires are a list of questions either an openended or close -
ended for which the respondent give answers. Questionnaire can be
conducted via telephone, mail, live in a public area, or in an institute,
through electronic mail or through fax and other methods.
• Mailed Questionnaire - a Questionnaire is sent (by post) to the
persons concerned with a request to answer the questions and return
the Questionnaire.
• Collected Questionnaire – The researcher goes to the respondents,
give and asks them to fill the questionnaire as per their own ideology.
Other Methods of Data Collection
TYPES OF QUESTIONS
ALTERNATIVE QUESTION FORMATS
1. Open-ended – Questions in which the respondent answers in his own words.
2. Closed-ended (or Fixed Alternative) – Question in which respondent selects
one or more options from pre-determined set of responses.
- Simple dichotomy Closed ended question with only two response
alternatives
- Multiple Choice Closed ended question with more than two response
alternatives.
- Determinant choice – Multiple choice question in which respondent
must select only one of the response alternatives.
- Checklist question - Multiple choice question in which respondent can
select more than one of the response alternatives.
Merits and Demerits of Primary Data
Secondary Data
• Secondary data are those which have already been collected by
someone else and which have through some statistical analysis
Published data are available in: (banks,
1. Publications of State/Central Govt.s
2. 2. Publications of International Bodies
3. 3. Technical and Trade Journals
4. Books, Magazines and Newspapers
5. Reports/Publications of various organizations stock exchanges, business
houses, etc)
6. Reports – by scholars, Universities, etc 7. Public records, Historical
Documents, etc
Key Differences Between Primary and Secondary Data
• 1. The term primary data refers to the data originated by the
researcher for the first time. Secondary data is the already existing
data, collected by the investigator agencies and organisations earlier.
• 2. Primary data is a real-time data whereas secondary data is one
which relates to the past.
• 3. Primary data is collected for addressing the problem at hand while
secondary data is collected for purposes other than the problem at
hand.
• 4. Primary data collection is a very involved process. On the other
hand, secondary data collection process is rapid and easy
• 5. Primary data collection sources include surveys, observations, experiments,
questionnaire, personal interview, etc. On the contrary, secondary data collection
sources are government publications, websites, books, journal articles, internal
records etc.
• 6. Primary data collection requires a large amount of resources like time, cost and
manpower. Conversely, secondary data is relatively inexpensive and quickly
available.
• 7. Primary data is always specific to the researcher’s needs, and he controls the
quality of research. In contrast, secondary data is neither specific to the
researcher’s need, nor he has control over the data quality.
• 8. Primary data is available in the raw form whereas secondary data is the refined
form of primary data. It can also be said that secondary data is obtained when
statistical methods are applied to the primary data.
• 9. Data collected through primary sources are more reliable and accurate as
compared to the secondary sources.~~~~