METHODS OF DATA

COLLECTION
INTRODUCTION
 The task of data collection begins after a research problem has been defined and
research design/plan chalked out.
We have two types of data, primary and secondary.
The primary data are those which are collected afresh and for the first time, and
thus happen to be original in character.
The secondary data, on the other hand, are those which have already been
collected by someone else and which have already been passed through the
statistical process.
The methods of collecting primary and secondary data differ since primary data
are to be originally collected, while in case of secondary data the nature of data
collection work is merely that of compilation.
COLLECTION OF PRIMARY DATA
We collect primary data during the course of doing experiments in an
experimental research
but in case we do research of the descriptive type and perform surveys, then we can
obtain primary data either through observation or through direct communication with
respondents in one form or another or through personal interviews
there are several methods of collecting primary data, particularly in surveys and
descriptive researches.
i. observation method,
ii. interview method,
iii. through questionnaires, and
iv. other methods
I. OBSERVATION
METHOD
Observation becomes a scientific tool and the method of data collection for the
researcher, when it serves a formulated research purpose, is systematically planned
and recorded and is subjected to checks and controls on validity and reliability.
Under the observation method, the information is sought by way of investigator’s
own direct observation without asking from the respondent.
advantage
i. subjective bias is eliminated, if observation is done accurately.
ii. the information obtained is not complicated by either the past behavior or
future intentions or attitudes.
iii. independent of respondents’ willingness to respond.
This method is particularly suitable in studies which deal with subjects who are not
capable of giving verbal reports of their feelings for one reason or the other
CONT.
limitations
i. it is an expensive.
ii. the information provided by this method is very limited.
iii. sometimes unforeseen factors may interfere with the observational
task.
iv. At times, the fact that some people are rarely accessible to direct
observation creates obstacle for this method to collect data effectively.
While using this method, the researcher should keep in mind things
like:
 What should be observed?
 How the observations should be recorded? Or
 how the accuracy of observation can be ensured?
CONT.
Structured 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 relevant data of observation.
Unstructured observation:
when observation is to take place without these characteristics to be thought of in
advance.
is considered appropriate in descriptive studies, whereas in an exploratory study the
observational procedure is most likely to be relatively unstructured.
II. INTERVIEW METHOD
involves presentation of oral-verbal stimuli and reply in terms of oral-verbal
responses.
Personal interview method requires a person known as the interviewer asking
questions generally in a face-to-face contact to the other person or persons.
In the case of direct personal investigation the interviewer has to collect the
information personally from the sources concerned.
He has to be on the spot and has to meet people from whom data have to be
collected.
indirect oral examination can be conducted under which the interviewer has to
cross-examine other persons who are supposed to have knowledge about the
problem under investigation and the information, obtained is recorded.
CONT..
Structured interviews:
collecting information in a structured way.
unstructured interviews:
characterized by a flexibility of approach to questioning.
do not follow a system of pre-determined questions and standardized
techniques of recording information.
the interviewer is allowed much greater freedom to ask, in case of need,
supplementary questions or at times he may omit certain questions if the
situation so requires.
CONT..
merits :
i. More information and that too in greater depth can be obtained.
ii. Interviewer by his own skill can overcome the resistance, if any,
iii. There is greater flexibility under this method as the opportunity to restructure
questions is always there, specially in case of unstructured interviews.
iv. Personal information can as well be obtained easily under this method.
v. Samples can be controlled more effectively as there arises no difficulty of the
missing returns; non-response generally remains very low.
vi. The language of the interview can be adopted to the ability or educational
level of the person interviewed and as such misinterpretations concerning
questions can be avoided.
CONT.
demerits :
i. It is a very expensive method, specially when large and widely spread geographical
sample is taken.
ii. There remains the possibility of the bias of interviewer as well as that of the
respondent.
iii. Certain types of respondents may not be easily approachable
iv. is relatively more-time-consuming, specially when the sample is large and recalls
upon the respondents are necessary.
v. The presence of the interviewer on the spot may over-stimulate the respondent,
vi. the organization required for selecting, training and supervising the field-staff is
more complex with formidable problems.
COLLECTION OF DATA THROUGH
QUESTIONNAIRES
This method of data collection is quite popular, particularly in case of big enquiries.
It is being adopted by private individuals, research workers, private and public
organizations and even by governments.
In this method a questionnaire is sent to the persons concerned with a request to
answer the questions and return the questionnaire.
A questionnaire consists of a number of questions printed or typed in a definite
order on a form or set of forms.
The questionnaire is mailed to respondents who are expected to read and understand
the questions and write down the reply in the space meant for the purpose in the
questionnaire itself.
The respondents have to answer the questions on their own.
CONT.
Merits:
1. There is low cost even when the universe is large and is widely spread
geographically.
2. It is free from the bias of the interviewer; answers are in respondents’ own
words.
3. Respondents have adequate time to give well thought out answers.
4. Respondents, who are not easily approachable, can also be reached
conveniently.
5. Large samples can be made use of and thus the results can be made more
dependable and reliable.
CONT.
demerits :
1. Low rate of return of the properly filled in questionnaires;
2. It can be used only when respondents are educated and cooperating.
3. The control over questionnaire may be lost once it is sent.
4. There is inbuilt inflexibility because of the difficulty of amending the
approach once questionnaires have been dispatched.
5. There is also the possibility of ambiguous replies or omission of replies
altogether to certain questions; interpretation of omissions is difficult.
6. It is difficult to know whether willing respondents are truly representative.
7. This method is likely to be the slowest of all.
COLLECTION OF SECONDARY
DATA
It may either be published data or unpublished data.
Usually published data are available in:
a. various publications of governments or international bodies;
b. technical and trade journals, books, magazines and newspapers;
c. reports and publications of various associations;
d. reports prepared by research scholars, universities, economists, etc. in
different fields; and
sources of unpublished data: diaries, letters, unpublished biographies and
autobiographies and also may be available with scholars and research workers,
trade associations, labour bureaus and other public/private individuals and
organizations.
CONT..
By way of caution, the researcher, before using secondary data, must see that
they possess following characteristics:
1. Reliability of data:
The reliability can be tested by finding out such things about the said data:
a. Who collected the data?
b. What were the sources of data?
c. Were they collected by using proper methods
d. At what time were they collected?
e. Was there any bias of the compiler?
f. What level of accuracy was desired? Was it achieved ?
CONT..
2. Suitability of data:
the researcher must very carefully scrutinize the definition of various terms and
units of collection used at the time of collecting the data from the primary source
originally.
Similarly, the object, scope and nature of the original enquiry must also be
studied.
If the researcher finds differences in these, the data will remain unsuitable for the
present enquiry and should not be used.
CONT..
3. Adequacy of data:
If the level of accuracy achieved in data is found inadequate for the purpose of
the present enquiry, they will be considered as inadequate and should not be used
by the researcher.
The data will also be considered inadequate, if they are related to an area which
may be either narrower or wider than the area of the present enquiry.
CONT..
From all this we can say that it is very risky to use the already available data.
It must be used by the researcher only when he finds them reliable, suitable and
adequate.
But he should not blindly discard the use of such data if they are readily available
from authentic sources and are also suitable and adequate for in that case it will
not be economical to spend time and energy in field surveys for collecting
information.
At times, there may be wealth of usable information in the already available data
which must be used by an intelligent researcher but with due precaution.
SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE
METHOD FOR DATA COLLECTION
1. Nature, scope and object of enquiry:
 The method selected should be such that it suits the type of enquiry that is to be
conducted by the researcher.
is also important in deciding whether the data already available (secondary data) are to
be used or the data not yet available (primary data) are to be collected.
2. Availability of funds:
When funds are very limited, the researcher will have to select a comparatively cheaper
method which may not be as efficient and effective as some other costly method.
Finance, in fact, is a big constraint in practice and the researcher has to act within this
limitation.
SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE
METHOD FOR DATA COLLECTION
3. Time factor:
Some methods take relatively more time, whereas with others the data can be
collected in a comparatively shorter duration.
4. Precision required:
It is yet another important factor to be considered at the time of selecting the
method of collection of data.
But, it depends upon the ability and experience of the researcher
GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTING
QUESTIONNAIRE
The researcher must pay attention to the following points:
1. Must keep in view the problem he is to study for it provides the starting point
for developing the Questionnaire.
2. Appropriate form of questions depends on the nature of information wanted,
the sampled respondents and the kind of analysis intended.
• The researcher must decide whether to use closed or open-ended question.
• Questions should be simple.
• The units of enumeration should also be defined precisely.
CONT.
The researcher must pay attention to the following points:
3. Rough draft of the Questionnaire be prepared, giving due thought to the
appropriate sequence of putting questions.
4. Researcher must invariably re-examine, and in case of need may revise the
rough draft for a better one.
5. Pilot study should be undertaken for pre-testing the questionnaire.
6. Questionnaire must contain simple but straight forward directions for the
respondents so that they may not feel any difficulty in answering the questions.
GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL
INTERVIEWING
The researcher must pay attention to the following points:
1. Interviewer must plan in advance and should fully know the problem under
consideration. He must choose a suitable time and place so that the interviewee may
be at ease during the interview period.
2. Interviewer’s approach must be friendly and informal.
3. All possible effort should be made to establish proper relationship with the
interviewee; people are motivated to communicate when the atmosphere is favorable.
4. Interviewer must know that ability to listen with understanding, respect and
curiosity is the gateway to communication, and hence must act accordingly during
the interview.
GUIDELINES FOR SUCCESSFUL
INTERVIEWING
The researcher must pay attention to the following points:
5. To the extent possible there should be a free-flowing interview and the
questions must be well phrased in order to have full cooperation of the
interviewee.
6. In case of big enquiries, there should be an interview guide to be observed by
all.
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