Data Collection: Sources and Methods

Collection of Data

• The focus is on understanding data collection through various sources and methods.
• The chapter covers sources of data and methods of data collection.

Sources of Data

• This involves pinpointing where data originates.
• Primary and secondary sources are the two main types.

Primary Source of Data

• This is data the investigator gathers directly from original sources.
• An example involves measuring each student's height in a class directly.
• The data is original, collected firsthand by the investigator.

Secondary Source of Data

• This is pre-existing data reused for a different purpose.
• An example is using a receptionist's register of previously recorded student heights.

Primary vs. Secondary Data

• Primary data serves a specific investigation's original collection, while secondary data is pre-existing and used for a new purpose.
• Primary data offers original information, whereas secondary data may be outdated or less accurate.
• Primary data collection is more expensive due to time and effort, while secondary data is more cost-effective.
• Primary data tends to be more reliable due to firsthand sourcing.

Modes/Methods of Data Collection

• Direct Personal Investigation involves gathering data personally from individuals.
• Indirect Oral Investigation involves data collection through indirect sources like witnesses.
• Information from Local Sources/Correspondents uses local contacts for data.
• Information Through Questionnaires uses structured sets of questions for data collection.

Direct Personal Investigation

• Data is gathered directly by the investigator from respondents.
• An example is a teacher asking each student about their marks in economics.
• Suitable for small fields and when high data originality and secrecy are needed.

Merits of Direct Personal Investigation

• Ensures data reliability due to originality and accuracy.
• Enables collection of related information alongside needed data.

Demerits of Direct Personal Investigation

• Difficult to cover wide areas.
• Subject to personal bias.
• Costly in terms of time, effort, and money.
• Limited coverage.

Indirect Oral Investigation

• Information is obtained from third parties or witnesses, not directly from concerned individuals.
• An example is gathering information about a prospective groom from neighbors and relatives.

Suitability of Indirect Oral Investigation

• Applicable for large areas of investigation where direct contact is not feasible.
• Useful when informants cannot provide information due to ignorance or illiteracy.

Merits of Indirect Oral Investigation

• Wide coverage.
• Less expensive.
• Simple to conduct.

Demerits of Indirect Oral Investigation

• Accuracy issues, potential personal biases, and doubtful conclusions.

Information from Local Sources/Correspondents

• Employs local people to collect information.
• An example involves reporters tracking a criminal's daily activities to gather information.

Suitability of Information from Local Sources/Correspondents

• Suitable for regular and continuous information needs, especially in media.

Merits of Information from Local Sources/Correspondents

• Economical.
• Wide coverage.
• Continuous and suits specific purposes.

Demerits of Information from Local Sources/Correspondents

• Lacks originality.
• Lacks uniformity.
• Subject to personal biases.
• Less accurate.

Information Through Questionnaires

• This can be collected through mailing or enumerators using structured question sets.

Mailing Method

• Involves sending questionnaires by mail for informants to fill out and return.
• Investigators assure data confidentiality.
• Suitable for wide areas with educated respondents.

Merits of Mailing Method

• Economical
• Original
• Wide reach

Demerits of Mailing Method

• Lacks respondent interest, leading to low response rates and limited use for the uneducated.
• Lacks flexibility and includes potential personal biases.

Enumerator Method

• Investigators hire enumerators to administer questionnaires to respondents.
• The filled questionnaire is called a schedule, where name, corona shots, etc., are recorded.

Suitability of Enumerator Method

• Used when the investigation area is large and requires specialized skills.
• Useful when respondents may not be educated.

Merits of Enumerator Method

• Wide reach
• Accurate
• Has personal contact
• Complete and impartial

Demerits of Enumerator Method

• Very expensive
• Very time-consuming
• Requires trained enumerators and is unsuitable for private investigations.

Characteristics of a Good Questionnaire

• Limited, simple, properly ordered, and non-controversial questions.
• Involves easy calculations.
• No offensive questions.
• Pre-testing with a pilot survey.
• Includes proper instructions.
• Allows for cross-verification.
• Has a request for return and assurance of security.

Pilot Survey (Pretesting)

• Testing the questionnaire on a small group before the final survey to gauge clarity and effectiveness.
• Helps refine the questionnaire and improve the survey.

Advantages of Pilot Survey

• Assesses questionnaire quality and enumerator performance.
• Helps understand the cost and time required for the final survey.

Sources of Secondary Data

• Published and unpublished sources are the two types.
• Published involves data collection and publication in outlets like magazines or newspapers.
• Unpublished data lacks original collection status.

Types of Published Sources

• Government publications, semi-government publications, and trade associations.
• Journals and papers.
• International publications.

Considerations When Using Unpublished Data

• One must know the collecting organization's ability, objective, methods, and data.
• One must check the time and conditions of collection.

Important Sources of Secondary Data

• Census of India and NSSO (National Sample Survey Organization).

Census of India

• This is a decennial publication by the Government of India, managed by the Register General and Census Commissioner.
• Includes data on population size, growth rate, and density.
• Also includes data on sex composition, counts by race, and the number of literate versus illiterate people.

NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation)

• Governed by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
• Reports collection stats on land, livestock, and land usage.
• Counts housing quality across the nation.
• Records consumer expenditure across diverse population groups.
• Assesses income sources and methods via sample methods.

Explore data collection focusing on sources and methods. The chapter covers primary and secondary data sources, detailing how data originates and is gathered. Learn about firsthand investigations versus reusing pre-existing data for new purposes.