BUSINESS RESEARCH METHODS

1. Chapter -5
DATA TYPES AND SOURCES
TEXT BOOK: RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY-CHAWLA D.,
SONDHI N.

2. SOURCES OF DATA
DATA SOURCES
SECONDARY METHODS
PRIMARY METHODS
INTERNAL EXTERNAL
Fully
Processed
Need Further
Analysis
Syndicated
Sources
Electronic
Database
Published

3. CLASSIFICATION OF DATA
 Primary data is original, problem or project specific and
collected for the specific objectives and needs spelt out by the
researcher. The authenticity and relevance is reasonably high.
 Secondary data is information that is not topical or research
specific and has been collected and compiled by some other
researcher or investigative body. It is recorded and published in
a structured format.

4. USES OF SECONDARY DATA
 Problem identification and formulation stage: past data and
information on the topic under study. Can be extremely useful
in developing a conceptual framework for investigation.
 Hypotheses designing: earlier work done on the topic and
market data as well as industry trends and market facts.
Could help in developing assumptions that can be translated
into testable hypotheses for the study.
 Sampling considerations: respondent-related databases are
important sources of respondent statistics and relevant
contact details.
 Primary base: can be used to design questionnaires for the
primary study.
 Validation and authentication board: earlier records and
studies as well as data pools. Can also be used to support or
validate the information collected through primary sources.

5. BENEFITS OF SECONDARY DATA
 Resource advantage
 Accessibility of data
 Accuracy and stability of data
 Assessment of data

6. DRAWBACKS OF SECONDARY DATA
 Applicability of data: the purpose for which the information
was earlier collected was unique to that study and thus the
information might not be absolutely applicable or relevant for
the current study objective.
 Accuracy of data: the source and data credibility is a serious
issue of concern when using past data and records.

7. AUTHENTICATION OF SECONDARY DATA
 Methodology check: in terms of sampling frame used, data
collection tools and methods of analysis and hypotheses
testing
 Accuracy check: establishing source credibility.
Misrepresentation of data
 Topical check: recency of findings and similarity of the
environment under study with past study
 Financial check: the cost of accessing past or recorded data
in terms of the relevance for the study

8. INTERNAL DATA SOURCES
 Company records: historical as well as current manufacturing
information, process and policy documents
 Employee records: demographic data sets, performance
appraisals & grievance data
 Sales data: cash register receipts, salespersons call records,
sales invoices and sales reports
 Other sources: customer databases, CRM data, warranty
records, etc.

9. EXTERNAL DATA SOURCES
Published data: data that is in on public domains, which could be
compiled by public or private sources
 Government sources: census data, other documented and
available government publications
 Other data sources: essentially non-government sources like
books, periodicals, guides and directories, Indices and
standardized non-government statistical data

10.  Refer in-class discussed online data bases
 Refer text book pages 106,107 & 108
SOURCES