Primary Data Collection Methods

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the questionnaire format shown?

To assess financial performance of organizations.

To evaluate participant expectations from the Diploma in Management course. (correct)

To gather feedback on course content only.

To identify successful business models.

Which of the following categories is NOT listed as an option for the nature of ownership of an organization?

Partnership

Private Limited Co.

Sole Proprietorship (correct)

Public Sector (Central/State)

What information is requested regarding the job level within an organization?

Evaluation of job satisfaction.

Specific job rank

Role in decision making.

Job level in the organizational hierarchy. (correct)

What type of activities does the questionnaire inquire about regarding the organization?

Nature of activities within the organization. Signup and view all the answers

What scale is used to assess the scale of operation of an organization?

Value turnover in Rupees Signup and view all the answers

What type of organization is categorized as 'Any other, Specify' in the ownership options?

Non-profit organization Signup and view all the answers

Which section of the questionnaire asks for the participant's designation?

Section E Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the questionnaire, what does the term 'top level' refer to?

The highest tier of management. Signup and view all the answers

What is primary data?

Data collected by the investigator themselves Signup and view all the answers

Which method involves observing a phenomenon without asking questions?

Observation method Signup and view all the answers

What is a common drawback of the observation method?

Physical difficulties may lead to errors in data collection Signup and view all the answers

What best describes the questionnaire method of data collection?

A structured list of questions directed to respondents Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of personal interviews over mail questionnaires?

Interviewers can clarify doubts during the session Signup and view all the answers

Which method is likely to be the least costly for collecting primary data?

Mail questionnaires Signup and view all the answers

When is secondary data typically collected?

When another researcher gathers and shares the data Signup and view all the answers

What can be a disadvantage of the mail questionnaire method?

Responses may be less reliable due to lack of direct communication Signup and view all the answers

What is defined as data collected by the investigator himself?

Primary Data Signup and view all the answers

Which method is most commonly used for primary data collection?

Questionnaires Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a collection that includes every item in a population?

Census Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes data compiled by someone else?

Secondary Data Signup and view all the answers

Which is NOT a characteristic of a good questionnaire?

Ambiguous questions Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for any group of measurements selected from a population?

Sample Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true about primary and secondary data?

Secondary data is easier to collect than primary data. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect should be included when drafting a useful questionnaire?

Ensuring the questions are objective Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of pre-testing a questionnaire?

To identify and rectify issues before the main survey. Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to refer to the pre-testing of a questionnaire?

Pilot Survey Signup and view all the answers

What should the editing of primary data ensure?

Completeness, consistency, and accuracy of data. Signup and view all the answers

Which day and time slot is NOT listed for attending contact sessions?

Monday 10 a.m.– 1 p.m. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if vital questions in a questionnaire remain unanswered?

Contact the respondent to obtain the missing responses. Signup and view all the answers

What action can be taken if some questions in the questionnaire are found irrelevant?

Delete them from the questionnaire. Signup and view all the answers

Which scenario demonstrates a contradiction in questionnaire responses?

Respondent claims to have no children but lists two. Signup and view all the answers

What could be a reasonable outcome of properly testing and revising a questionnaire?

Higher accuracy in the collected data. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most challenging task for an investigator when analyzing questionnaire data?

Checking the accuracy of the information provided. Signup and view all the answers

Why is homogeneity important when designing questionnaire questions?

To confirm all respondents understand questions similarly. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a key aspect of the data editing process?

Ensuring each questionnaire is thoroughly complete. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT emphasized regarding the pre-testing of a questionnaire?

Ensuring changes are introduced hastily. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the two broad categories of secondary data sources?

Published and unpublished. Signup and view all the answers

How can inaccuracies in questionnaire data be minimized?

Through random cross-checking of information. Signup and view all the answers

What issue may arise from an ambiguous question regarding income in a questionnaire?

Responses may vary between different income periods. Signup and view all the answers

What consequence may result from allowing inaccuracies in questionnaire responses?

Misleading results impacting analysis and conclusions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Primary Data

Data collected firsthand by the investigator or their agent is called primary data.
Primary data collection methods include observation and questionnaires.

Observation Method

The investigator observes the phenomenon under consideration and records the relevant data.
Humans or machines can perform observations.
This method can be prone to errors due to observer limitations.

Questionnaire Method

The investigator prepares a list of questions and records the responses.
This method is widely used due to limitations of the observation method.
Questionnaires can be administered through personal interviews, mail, or telephone.

Personal Interviews

The interviewer meets with the respondent face-to-face and records their answers.
This method generally produces more accurate and reliable information.
It is time-consuming and costly, especially with a large and dispersed respondent pool.

Mail Questionnaire

Respondents receive a list of questions by mail and return their responses.
Questionnaires can be distributed through other means like product attachments or newspapers.
The questionnaire format includes sections on:
- Background information (name, organization, position, job level)
- Organizational details (ownership, activities, scale of operation, weekly holidays)
- Preferences for contact sessions (day and time)
- Market survey questions (e.g., assessing demand for a new drug).

Pre-Testing the Questionnaire

Pre-testing involves conducting a pilot survey before the main survey.
This helps identify problems, inconsistencies, repetitions, and unnecessary questions.
Allow for revisions and improvements based on the pilot survey results.

Editing Primary Data

Collected data requires editing to ensure completeness, consistency, accuracy, and homogeneity.
Completeness: Each questionnaire should be complete, with all questions answered.
Consistency: Check for contradictory answers and resolve inconsistencies.
Accuracy: Verify the information provided by respondents for accuracy.
Homogeneity: Ensure all respondents understand questions in the same way, especially those with ambiguous terms.

Secondary Data

Data collected by someone other than the user is considered secondary data.
Sources of secondary data include published and unpublished materials.
Examples of published sources include statistical reports from national or international organizations.

Key Terms

Census: a complete enumeration of all items in a population.
Population: the collection of items under investigation.
Primary Data: data collected by the investigator.
Questionnaire: a form used to gather answers to questions.
Sample: a subset of measurements selected from a population.
Secondary Data: data collected by someone other than the user.

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Description

This quiz explores the various methods of primary data collection, including observation and questionnaires. Learn about the strengths and limitations of each method, such as personal interviews and mail questionnaires. Test your understanding of how data is gathered firsthand by investigators.