Data Collection Methods

Mr.T.SOMASUNDARAM
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT
KRISTU JAYANTI COLLEGE,
BANGALORE
UNIT 4

UNIT 4: DATA COLLECTION
& TABULATION
Types of Data, Difference between
Primary and Secondary Data, Collection
of Primary Data, Questionnaire,
Schedules, Interview, Survey,
Observation, Secondary Data, Sources of
Secondary Data, Tabulation of Data –
Meaning and Types

Definition:
“ Data are raw fact or elementary
descriptions of things, events, activities,
transactions that are stored, recorded &
classified but not organized to convey any specific meanings.”
“Data are nothing but the information.”
* Data is important for the research study and researcher has to
decide which sort of data would be using for the study and
based on that he has to select the data collection method.
3
DATA

1. Primary Data:
Primary data refers to information obtained first hand by the
researcher on the variables of interest for the specific purpose of study.
The sources of primary data are individuals, focus groups, panels of
respondents specifically set up by the researcher and from whom the
researcher seeks opinions on specific issues from time to time.
Primary Data is an original and unique data, which is directly collected
by the researcher from a source according to his requirements.
4
TYPES OF DATA

Advantages:
 It provides a first-hand account of the situation.
 Information is more reliable.
 It is logical starting point of research study.
 It is used to find out opinions, personal qualities, attitudes, etc.
Disadvantages:
 It is expensive in terms of both time and money.
 It is not reliable unless research study is fair.
 Researcher should select representative sample (i.e.) sample selection.
 Limitations of the methods of collecting primary data is an another
disadvantages. 5

2. Secondary Data:
 Secondary data refers to the data which has already been collected for
a certain purpose and documented somewhere else.
 Data collected by someone else for some other purpose (but being
utilized by the investigator for another purpose) is secondary data.
 Gathering information with the use of census data to obtain
information on the Age-Gender structure of a population, and the
collection of data from sources such as articles, journals, magazines,
books and periodicals to obtain historical and other types of
information, are examples of secondary data.
6
TYPES OF DATA

3. Cross – Sectional Data:
 Cross-sectional data is a type of data collected by observing many subjects (such
as individuals, firms, countries, or regions) at the same point of time, or without
regard to differences in time.
 It is the data for a single time point or single space point.
 This type of data is limited in that it cannot describe changes over time or cause
and effect relationships in which one variable affects the other.
4. Ordered Data:
 Data according to ordered categories is called as ordered data.
 Ordered data is similar to a categorical variable except that there is a clear
ordering of the variables. (E.g.) economic status ordered data may be, low,
medium and high. 7
TYPES OF DATA

5. Categorical Data:
 Categorical variables represent types of data which may be divided
into groups. (E.g.) race, gender, age group, and educational level.
 The data, which cannot be measured numerically, is called as the
categorical data. Categorical data is qualitative in nature.
 The categorical data is also known as attributes.
 A data set consisting of observation on a single characteristic is a
univariate data set. A univariate data set is categorical if the individual
observations are categorical responses.
8
TYPES OF DATA

6. Time-Series Data:
 Time series data occurs wherever the same measurements are recorded on
a regular basis.
 Quantities that represent or trace the values taken by a variable over a
period such as a month, quarter, or year.
 The values of different phenomenon such as temperature, weight,
population, etc. can be recorded over a different period of time.
 The values of the variable remain increasing or decreasing or constant.
 The data according to time periods is called time-series data. e.g.
population in a different time period.
9
TYPES OF DATA

7. Spatial Data:
 Also known as geospatial data or geographic information it is the data or information
that identifies the geographic location of features and boundaries on Earth, such as
natural or constructed features, oceans, and more.
 Spatial data is usually stored as coordinates and topology and is data that can be
mapped.
 Spatial data is used in geographical information systems (GIS) and other geolocation
or positioning services.
 Spatial data consists of points, lines, polygons and other geographic and geometric data
primitives, which can be mapped by location, stored with an object as metadata or used
by a communication system to locate end-user devices.
 Spatial data may be classified as scalar or vector data. Each provides distinct
information pertaining to geographical or spatial locations. 10
TYPES OF DATA

11
Difference between Primary
& Secondary Data
Basis for Comparison Primary Data Secondary Data
Meaning
Primary data refers to the first hand data
gathered by the researcher himself.
Secondary data means data collected by
someone else earlier.
Data Real time data Past data
Process Very involved Quick and easy
Source
Surveys, observations,
experiments, questionnaire,
personal interview, etc.
Government publications, websites, books,
journal articles, internal records etc.
Cost effectiveness Expensive Economical
Collection time Long Short
Specific Always specific to the researcher's needs.
May or may not be specific to the
researcher's need.
Available in Crude form Refined form
Accuracy and Reliability More Relatively less

Quantitative Data:
 Quantitative data deals with numbers and things you can measure
objectively, includes dimensions like height, width, and length,
temperature and humidity, etc.
Qualitative Data:
 Qualitative data deals with characteristics and descriptors that can't
be easily measured, but can be observed subjectively—such as smells,
tastes, textures, attractiveness, and color.
Note: When we want to measure something and give it a number value,
we create quantitative data. When we classify or judge something, we
create qualitative data.

Numerical Data:
It has two types, (i.e.) counts are discrete and measurements are
continuous.
a) Discrete Data:
 It is a count that can't be made more precise, which involves integers.
(E.g.) No. of children or adults or pets in your family is discrete data.
b) Continuous Data:
 It is a data that can be divided and reduced to finer and finer levels.
(E.g.) Height of your kids at progressively more precise scales —meters,
centimetres & millimetres —so height is continuous data.

Categorical Data:
Categorical data represent types of data which may be divided into
groups. (E.g.) Gender, Age, and educational level.
a) Nominal Data:
 Nominal data (also known as nominal scale) is a type of data that is
used to label variables without providing any quantitative value.
b) Ordinal Data:
 Ordinal data is a kind of categorical data with a set order or scale to it.
(E.g.) Ordinal data is said to have been collected using the scale of 1 -
10.

Character Quantitative Data Qualitative Data
Definition
These are data that deal with
quantities, values, or
numbers.
These data, on the other hand, deals with
quality.
Measurability Measurable. They are generally not measurable.
Nature of Data
Expressed in numerical
form.
They are descriptive rather than numerical
in nature.
Research
Methodology
Conclusive Exploratory
Quantities
measured
Measures quantities such as
length, size, amount, price,
and even duration.
Narratives often make use of adjectives
and other descriptive words to refer to
data on appearance, color, texture, and
other qualities.
Difference between Quantitative
& Qualitative data

Method of collection
Statistics is used to generate
and subsequently analyse this
type of data.
They are only gained mostly
through observation.
Approach Objective Subjective
Data Structure Structured Unstructured
Determines Level of occurrence Depth of understanding
Reliability
The uses of statistics add
credence or credibility to it so
that quantitative data is overall
seen as more reliable and
objective.
Less reliable and objective.

Data Collection
Techniques
Quantitative surveys,
Interviews, Experiments
Qualitative surveys, Focus
group methods,
Documental revision, etc.
Sample
A large number of
representative samples
A small number of non-
representative samples
Outcome
Develops initial
understanding
Recommends the final
course of action

PRIMARY DATA
COLLECTION METHODS
1. Observation:
• A Observation is most common method in studies relate to behavioral
sciences..
• It is a scientific tool and method of data collection for researcher.
• Observation method are sought by researcher direct observation without
asking respondents.
(E.g.)
Study relating to consumer behavior in the super markets, researcher able
to find out which meals is most popular among students in college canteen.
19

Advantages:
 Subjective bias is eliminated.
 Information obtained is relate to current happening.
Disadvantages:
* Expensive * Limited information * Unforeseen factors.
• Structured Observations – standardized conditions and selection of pertinent data of
observation.
• Unstructured Observations – without any standardized conditions.
• Participant Observations – observer makes himself as a part of group and feel that
experience.
• Non-participant Observations – observer detached himself from others feel.
• Disguised Observations – observer presence may be unknown to people. 20

2. Survey:
• A Survey is a research technique in which data is collected from a sample of
people using an interview or questionnaire.
• Survey is a ‘fact-finding’ study.
• Surveys are a crucial tool of business research methods.
• Surveys are undertaken using verbal or written means to obtain primary data for
the research project.
• Surveys target individuals and/or organizations (respondents).
• Surveys are often quantitative, occasionally also qualitative in their orientation.
21

• Surveys are usually done for descriptive purposes to characteristics of a group, to
measure attitudes and determine behavioral patterns, and sometimes to explore ideas or
provide causal explanations.
Characteristics of Survey:
- it is always field study & conducted in natural setting.
- it gives direct response from respondents.
- it covers large population.
- it covers geographical area, (i.e.) a city, district or state.
Advantages:
* Quickness. * Inexpensiveness. * Flexibility.
* Accuracy. * Helpful in decision making. * Efficiency.
22

Purposes of a Survey:
1. It is to provide information to the government or organization. (i.e.)
population census, economic surveys.
2. It used to explain causal relationships between variables and influence of
various factors on phenomena. (i.e.) job satisfaction, consumer behavior, etc.
3. It is designed to compare demographic groups like low-income and high-
income groups and its comparison.
4. It deals with cause and effect relationships used in making predictions. (E.g.)
relationships between an increase in income and purchase of durable goods is
established in a consumer behavior survey.
23

TYPES OF SURVEY
RESEARCH METHODS
 Surveys can be classified according to the mode of communication with the
respondent (personal interviews, telephone interviews, mail surveys, internet
surveys etc.)
 Surveys can be classified according to the type of questions asked of respondents
(structured questions, disguised questions). Structured questions impose a limit
on the number of permissible responses, while disguised questions try to hide the
purpose of the study from the respondents and get information that respondents
may otherwise be reluctant to give. Surveys often incorporate both structured
and disguised questions.
24

• Surveys can be classified according to their time frame (cross-
sectional studies, (i.e.) where data is collected from respondents
at a single point in time, and longitudinal studies, i.e., where
data is collected from a group of respondents over a time
interval, with a view to examining the level of continuity or
change over time
• If data is collected from the same sample of individuals, the
longitudinal study is called a panel study. A method for
documenting data in panel studies is to use diaries for tracking.
25

Advantages:
* Opportunity for feedback.
* Probing complex answers.
* Length of interview.
* Complete Questionnaires.
* Props & Visual aids.
* High Participation.
Disadvantages:
* Cost.
* Lack of Anonymity.
* Necessity of call backs.
* Variance Effects .
* Dishonesty.
* Personal Style.
* Global considerations.
i) Personal Interviews:
A personal interview is a form of direct communication in which an
interviewer asks respondents in a face-to-face conversational situation.
26

ii) Telephone interview:
 In telephone interviews, respondents are contacted by telephone in order to
collect data for surveys and has been used for decades.
 With improvements in the IT-field, computers can be used to assist in telephone
interviewing, and answers given by respondents can be entered by interviewers
directly into the computer, saving effort, time and cost.
Advantages:
* Speed.
* Cost.
* No face-to-face contact.
* Cooperation.
* Callbacks.
Disadvantages:
* No face-to-face contact.
* Cooperation.
* Lack of visual mediums.
* Limited duration.
* Representative samples. 27

iii) (E) Mail surveys:
A (e)-mail survey is a self-
administered questionnaire
dispatched to respondents through the
mail.
Advantages:
* Geographic Flexibility.
* Cost.
* Respondent Convenience.
* Interviewer absence.
* Speed of distribution.
* Less handling of paper.
Disadvantages:
* Interviewer absence..
* Time factor.
* Standardized Questions.
* Length of mail questionnaire.
* Wrong respondents.
* Social factors.
* Not all respondents have internet.
* H/w & S/w deficiencies.
* Different computer skills.
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3. DATA COLLECTION
THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES
Self-Administered
Questionnaires
Printed Questionnaires Electronic Questionnaires
Mail
In-Person Drop-Off
Inserts
Fax
E-Mail
Internet Website
Interactive Kiosk
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• Self-administered questionnaires are those questionnaires that are filled in by the
respondent independently, i.e. without the direct interaction with an interviewer.
• There are many ways for distributing self-administered questionnaires, for
example, by mailing or faxing questionnaires to people, by posting them on
websites, by distributing them at certain locations and places (airline flights,
resteraunts, hotels etc.), by including them as inserts in magazines and so forth.
• Researchers who have to interpret self-administered questionnaires have to be
skillful at trying to understand what is being conveyed to them in written or
electronic - rather than verbal - form .
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QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaire – Meaning:
 A Questionnaire is a research instrument consisting of a series of
questions for purpose of gathering information from respondents.
 It was invented by Statistical Society of London in 1838.
 It consists of large no. of questions arranged under different headings
and covers the research topic, which is studied by researcher.
Definition:
“Questionnaire is defined as a list of research or survey questions
asked to respondents and designed to extract specific information”.

Characteristics of
Questionnaire
The characteristics of good questionnaires are -
• It should consist of a well-written list of questions.
• The questionnaire should deal with an important or significant topic to
create interest among respondents.
• It should seek only that data which cannot be obtained from other
sources.
• It should be as short as possible but should be comprehensive.
• It should be attractive.
• Directions should be clear and complete.

Characteristics of
Questionnaire
• It should be represented in good psychological order proceeding from
general to more specific responses.
• Double negatives in questions should be avoided.
• Putting two questions in one question also should be avoided. Every
question should seek to obtain only one specific information.
• It should be designed to collect information which can be used
subsequently as data for analysis.

Types of
Questionnaire
Types of
Questionnaire
Hand
delivered
Questionnaire
Pictorial
Questionnaire

Types of
Questionnaire
1. Structured Questionnaire:
 A structured questionnaires helps collect quantitative data.
 It is designed in a way that it collects very specific type of information.
 It comes under quantitative research and it is also called as closed
questionnaires.
 It includes answers such as very bad, bad, good, very good and so on.
It includes following type of questions –
a) Contingency questions – this question is asked only if the respondent is able to
give an answer to the previous question.
b) Matrix questions – it is similar kind of option provided to multiple questions.
(i.e.) categories on top and question on down side.

Types of
Questionnaire
2. Unstructured Questionnaire:
 A Unstructured questionnaires collect qualitative data.
 The questionnaire in this case has a basic structure and some branching
questions but nothing that limits the responses of a respondent.
 The questions are more open-ended.
 Respondent can give whatever response he / she like to the questions.
 Though it is unstructured, but the sequence of questions follow an order.
 This type of questionnaire are widely used at the time of an interview.
 It is used to collect data about people and their personal information or
opinions or beliefs, etc.

Types of
Questionnaire
3. Semi structured Questionnaire:
 This is mixture of both structured and unstructured questionnaire,
which is like mixed approach.
 It consists few predefined questions, while rest of questions are not
planned in advance.
 It allow for exploration of pattern and trends which help to describe
what is happening in the context.
 This questionnaire used to provide a measure of respondents
opinions, attitude, perceptions about an particular issues.

Types of
Questionnaire
4. Scaled Questionnaire:
 In this type of questionnaire, respondents are asked to give their answers based
on given rating scale prescribed by the question.
Depending on type of format used in questionnaire, questions are in different form
like –
a) Open format questions – this questions are used to allow the respondents to
express their views in a free-flowing manner.
 It includes feedback and suggestions for further improvements.
b) Closed format questions – it is like multiple-choice questions.
 Respondent is restricted to answer their opinions through the options set by the
researcher. (also called close-ended questions).

Types of
Questionnaire
Closed-ended questions are of various types -
i) Leading questions:
 This type of questions force a definite type of answer from respondents.
 All kind of answers are equally likely and used to collect information from respondents
in very limited words.
ii) Importance questions:
 Respondents are asked to take a rating for certain type of questions / issue on a scale
of 1 to 5, which shows that the particular questions are really importance to carry out
the research.
iii) Likert questions:
 Questions show how much customer agrees to a certain topic and how much it
impacts respondent.

Types of
Questionnaire
iv) Dichotomous questions:
 It ask respondents to give answer in ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ format.
v) Bipolar questions:
 Respondents are asked to rate the question between these two extremities.
vi) Rating scale questions:
 Respondents are asked to rate a particular issue between the ratings of good and bad.
 This type of questions will have even no. of choices to prevent selecting the middle
option all the time.
vii) Buying propensity questions:
 It is used to rate whether respondent will again use product or service in future.

Types of
Questionnaire
5. Hand delivered Questionnaire:
 It is also called direct questionnaire, where researcher directly goes to
respondent and shares the questions.
 Respondent needs to tick the right answers in front of researcher.
Advantages:
 Close relationship with respondents.
 Tough questions are explained by researcher.
 Reason to study is described.
Disadvantages:
 Expensive and Time-consuming.

Types of
Questionnaire
6. Mailed Questionnaire:
 Researcher are using this type of questionnaire nowadays and it is sent to
respondent through post or mail, who is living somewhere far and collecting the
data and information.
Advantages:
 Most commonly used and helpful for researcher.
 Time saving & Easy and Simple.
Disadvantages:
 Lack of returns and scarcity of skilled respondents.
 Time taking if respondents are careless and lazy.
 Chances of errors due to misunderstanding by respondents.

Types of
Questionnaire
7. Pictorial Questionnaire:
 It is not used regularly.
 Usage of pictures impacts the respondents in answering the
questions.
 Mostly used for studies based on social attitudes and
prejudices in children.

CONSTRUCTION OF
QUESTIONNAIRE
Guidelines for constructing questionnaire:
1. Framing the questions based on the research problem and it should be no longer.
2. It must introduce each topic in such a way that it ties into perceptions of
respondent.
3. Questions should be practicable.
4. Unrealistic assumptions should not be made.
5. Vocabulary and syntax of the questionnaire should offer maximum opportunity
for complete and accurate communication between interviewer and respondent.
6. Simplest words that convey the exact meaning must be in questions.

7. Using leading questions are not desirable (i.e.) it should not contain any
suggestions.
8. Respondents should not be compelled by such questions to give responses.
9. Each questions should be concerned with a single ideas with single
reference. (E.g.) Do you like the lowering of the rates of income tax and
sales tax? This can be asked either single or two questions.
10. Questions should be arranged so that they make sense for the
respondents.
11. Respondents should feel free to answer.
12. Questionnaire designer has to ensure that all the necessary items are
incorporated in the questionnaire.

Reliability and Validity of Questionnaire:
* Reliability – it is the property by which consistent results are achieved when the
measurement is repeated.
- when questionnaire used on similar population will produce similar results.
- training is required to improve the reliability of questionnaires.
* Validity – it is the property by which a questionnaire measures what supposed to
measure.
- the validity can be checked by comparing with previously used items.
- some amount of judgment that comes through experiences is helpful for
framing “valid” questions.

Advantages of Questionnaire:
 Low cost even when universe is large.
 Free from bias of interviewer, answers in one words.
 Adequate time to give all answers.
 Large samples is more reliable.
 Questionnaire can be of different types, written, postal, telephone, etc.
 It responses can be highly defined and specific.
 It makes them easier to analyze and compare with the ideal answers.
 It is easily replicable and can be repeated.
 It provide a lot for data analysis and data manipulation.
 Reached conveniently.
 It reduces a lot of bias.

Disadvantages of Questionnaire:
 Low rate of return of duly filled in questionnaires.
 It is used only respondents are educated & cooperating.
 Control over questionnaire may be lost.
 Inflexibility because of difficulty.
 Possibility of ambiguous replies.
 Difficult to know truly representative.
 Results are based on type of question.
 Response rate may be poor in questionnaire, if people don’t have time or don’t
feel any importance in answering them,

Disadvantages of Questionnaire:
 Open – ended question may take a long time and produce a large amount
of data.
 Don’t ask too many questions as it might bore the respondent.
 It gives freedom to respondents to lie, hence resulting in vague answers or
opinions.
 It can create bias to certain questions in a questionnaire.
 Respondents may ignore certain questions without giving a proper answer.
 Questionnaire may not be suitable for certain people, illiterates or who
have reading problems.

Schedule:
 Schedule is the tool or instrument used to collect data from respondents while
interview is conducted.
 It is like a proforma containing a set of questions filled by the enumerators who
are specially appointed for the purpose.
 Enumerators along with schedules, put the questions listed in form of proforma
and record the replies.
 This requires the selection of enumerators for filling up schedules or assisting
respondents to fill up carefully.
4. Collection of Primary Data
through Schedules

Schedule:
 This method is very useful in extensive enquiries and lead to fairly reliable results.
 It is very expensive and adopted in investigations conducted by government
agencies.
(E.g.) Population census all over the world is conducted through this method.
Definition:
“Schedule is usually applied to a set of questions which are asked and filled by an
interviewer in a face to face situation with other person”. - P V Young
“Schedule is the name usually applied to a set of questions which are asked and
filled by an interviewer in a face to face situation with other person.”
- Goode & Hatt

The main purpose of Schedule are -
 To provide a standardized tool for observation or interview in order to
attain objectivity.
 It keeps memory of interviewer / observer refreshed and keeps
reminded of different aspects that are to be observed.
 To facilitate the work of tabulation and analysis.

Essentials of a Good Schedule:
A good schedule must have following features –
a) Content – should cover questions relating to significant aspects of
study.
b) Dissectional – looking into the problem and dissecting major,
significant components of problem.
c) Context – should suit the context in which it is applied.
d) Criterion – should use sound logic in classifying respondents based on
opinions.

e) Construction – should be constructed in such a way that questions
statements progress gradually and in order.
f) Language – should be linguistically superbly designed.
g) Reliable – should be reliable such that same results are obtained
h) Mechanical Aspects – Paper used, Margin space given, spacing, printing,
size of letters, etc.
i) Size – should not too length nor too short.
j) Qualities to be Avoided – long, complex, presumptions, personal,
embarrassing, hypothetical issues and upsetting type questions must be
avoided.

Difference between
Questionnaires & Schedules
Questionnaires Schedules
It is sent through mail along with cover
letter to be answered.
It is filled by research worker, who can
interpret questions when necessary.
It is relatively cheap & economic. It is more expensive and preparing
schedules.
Non-response is high in this case, where
they can return questionnaire.
Non-response is low in this case,
enumerators able to get all answers.
It is not always clear to replies. Identity of respondent is known.
This method is very slow in response. It is collected as per schedule.
It is not possible in questionnaires. Observation method is used.

Questionnaires Schedules
Personal contact is not possible in case of
post or mail.
Direct personal contact is established
with respondents.
This method is used only when
respondents are literate and cooperative.
Information can be gathered even when
respondents is illiterate.
Wider and more representative
distribution of sample is possible.
It is difficult in sending enumerators over
wide area.
Success of questionnaire lies more on
quality of questionnaire.
It depends on honesty and competence of
enumerators.
Physical appearance of questionnaire
must be quite attractive.
It is filled by enumerators and not by
respondents.

Interview:
 Interview is a qualitative research technique which involves asking
open-ended questions to converse with respondents and collect data
about a research subject.
 Interviewer will be subject expert and intends to understand
respondent opinions through series of questions and answers.
 Interview are similar to focus groups and surveys to collect
information from target respondents.
 Interview are conducted with a sample from a population.
5. Collection of Primary Data
through Interview

Advantages of Interview:
 Possibilities of collecting detailed information.
 Direct control over flow of process.
 Chance to clarify certain issues.
 Person’s participation.
Disadvantages of Interview:
 Interviewee bias seriously compromise validity of project findings.
 Longer time requirements.
 Difficult to associates with appropriate time.

SECONDARY DATA
COLLECTION
• Secondary Data means data that are already available (i.e.) they refer
to data which have already been collected and analyzed by someone
else.
• Secondary (or historical) data is data which has been acquired through
a research or any other effort in the past and for another purpose.
• Depending on the secondary data needed, there may be numerous
sources for acquiring this secondary data.
• It may be either published (governments publication, journals, books,
magazines, newspaper) or unpublished data.

SOURCES OF
SECONDARY DATA
Sources of Secondary Data include –
1. Books:
 One of the traditional ways of collecting data and many books are available for all
topics.
 Selection of books from repository to carry out research work.
 Authentic source of authentic data can be useful in preparing literature review.
2. Published Sources:
 Variety of published sources available for different research topics.
 Authenticity of the data generated from these sources depends majorly on the writer
and publishing company.
 Published sources may be printed or electronic and may be paid or free.

SOURCES OF
SECONDARY DATA
3. Unpublished Personal Sources:
 Easily accessible compared to published sources.
 It become accessible if researcher shares with another researcher who is not
allowed to share it with a third party.
 (E.g.) Product management team need data on customer feedback to assess
what customer think about their product & improvement suggestions, which
need to be collected from customer service department.
4. Journal:
 It become more important than books, because journals are updated regularly
with new publications on a periodic basis.
 Journals are more specific when it comes to research.

SOURCES OF
SECONDARY DATA
5. Newspapers:
 Information passed through a newspaper is usually reliable and it is one of the
authentic sources of collecting secondary data.
 It commonly share information related to political, economic and educational
data rather than scientific data.
6. Websites:
 Some regulated websites that only share authentic data and can be trusted by
researchers.
 Most of the websites are usually government websites or private organizations
that are paid, data collectors.

SOURCES OF
SECONDARY DATA
7. Blog:
 Most common online sources for data and less authentic than websites.
 Everyone own a blog and lot people use blogs to drive traffic to their website or
make money through paid ads.
(E.g.) Blogger can write good things about product because it is paid to do so.
8. Diaries:
 They are personal records rarely used for data collection by researchers.
 It is personal, except when people now share public diaries containing specific
events in their life.

SOURCES OF
SECONDARY DATA
9. Government Records:
 It is very important and authentic source of primary data.
 It contain useful information in marketing, management, humanities and social
science research.
 It includes census data, health records, education institute, records, etc.
10. Podcasts:
 It is common these days and lot of people listen to them as an alternative to
radio.
 It is like online radio station and increasing popularity.
Other sources: Letters, Radio stations & Public sector records.

SECONDARY DATA
COLLECTION TOOLS
Researcher use important tools for collecting secondary data are -
1. Bots:
 Researchers will find difficulty in browse the data, information, in order to
ease data collection process, programmers created bots to do an automatic
web scraping for relevant data.
 (E.g.) Software robots – programmed to perform some task for researcher.
2. Internet – Enabled Devices:
 This could be a mobile phone, PC or tablet that access to internet
connection.
 It is used to access journals, books, blogs, etc. to collect secondary data.

SECONDARY DATA
COLLECTION TOOLS
3. Library:
 This is traditional secondary data collection tool for researchers.
 It contains relevant materials in all research areas and it is accessible to
everyone.
4. Radio:
 It is one of secondary sources of data collection and one needs a radio to
access it.
 Advent of technology made it possible to listen to radio on mobile phones,
deeming it unnecessary to get a radio.

Advantages of Secondary Data:
 Already existing data and Quick availability.
 Cost-effective.
 No need for designing and undertaking a research study.
 Longitudinal and Comparative studies.
 Many different sources are available.
 Generating new insights.

Disadvantages of Secondary Data:
 Irrelevant Data.
 Does data apply to target population?
 Variation in terms of definition of terms.
 Different units of measurement (data conversion).
 Verification of data’s accuracy.
 Reputation of the data-collecting organization and research design used
may not be good.
 Data Quality.
 Exaggerated Data.

TABULATION OF
DATA
Meaning:
 Tabulation is a systematic & logical presentation of numeric data in rows
and columns to facilitate comparison and statistical analysis.
 It facilitates comparison by bringing related information close to each
other and helps in further statistical analysis and interpretation.
 It is the method of placing organized data into a tabular form is called as
Tabulation.
 It may be complex, double or simple depending upon the nature of
categorization.

TABULATION OF
DATA
Objectives:
The major objectives of Tabulation are –
1. To simplify the complex data.
2. To bring out essential features of the data.
3. To facilitate comparison.
4. To facilitate statistical analysis.
5. Saving of space.

TABULATION OF
DATA
Main Parts of Table:
(1) Table
Number
Table No. is the very first item mentioned on the top of each table for
easy identification and further reference.
(2) Title Title of the table is the second item which shown just above the table.
It narrates about the contents of the table so, it has to be very clear,
brief and carefully worded.
(3) Headnote It is the third item just above the Table & shown after the title.
It gives information about unit of data like, “Amount in Rupees or $”,
“Quantity in Tonnes” etc.
It is generally given in brackets.

TABULATION OF
DATA
(4) Captions or Column
Headings
At the top of each column in a table, a column
designation/head is given to explain figures of the
column.
This is column heading is called “Caption”.
(5) Stubs or Row Headings The title of the horizontal rows is called “Stubs”.
(6) Body of the Table It contains the numeric information and reveals the
whole story of investigated facts. Columns are read
vertically from top to bottom and rows are read
horizontally from left to right.

TABULATION OF
DATA
(7) Source Note It is a brief statement or phrase indicating the
source of data presented in the table.
(8) Footnote It explains the specific feature of the table
which is not self-explanatory and has not
been explained earlier. For example, Points of
exception if any.

TYPES OF
TABULATION
The major types of tabulation are –
1. Simple Tabulation or One – way Tabulation:
 When data are tabulated to one characteristic, it is said to be a simple
tabulation or one – way tabulation.
 This kind of table gives information regarding one characteristic
information.
State Population (in millions)
Karnataka 10.8758
Hyderabad 14.1867
Maharashtra 16.9941

TYPES OF
TABULATION
2. Double Tabulation or Two – way Tabulation:
 When data are tabulated according to two characteristics at a time, it is said
to be a double tabulation or two – way tabulation.
 This kind of table gives information regarding two dependent questions.
Male Female Total
Karnataka 5.4379 5.4379 10.8758
Hyderabad 8.1601 6.0266 14.1867
Maharashtra 8.3321 8.6620 16.9941

TYPES OF
TABULATION
3. Complex Tabulation:
 When data are tabulated according to many characteristics, it is said to be a
complex tabulation.
 This kind of table gives information regarding various divisions.
Male Female
Literate Illiterate Total Literate Illiterate Total
Karnataka 3.2341 2.2038 5.4379 4.2351 1.2028 5.4379
Hyderabad 5.1001 3.0600 8.1601 5.0136 1.0130 6.0266
Maharashtra 7.3110 1.3210 8.3321 6.6310 2.6310 8.6620

Data Collection Methods

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