This document discusses various methods of data collection. It describes primary data collection methods like personal interviews, questionnaires, and observation. It also discusses secondary data collection from published sources like government publications and commercial research, as well as unpublished sources. The key differences between primary and secondary data are described, such as primary data being real-time while secondary data is from the past. Popular data storage methods include databases, spreadsheets, and statistical programs. The document emphasizes that the best data collection method depends on the research problem and available resources.

1. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
:Chintan H.Trivedi
M.Tech Industrial
1st Sem RCOEM.

2. Seminar Overview
• Data Collection?
• Need for Data Collection
• Factors to be considered for data
collection
• Sources of Data
• Primary Data and Collection Methods
• Popular methods of Data Collection
• Questionnaire
• Secondary Sources & Collection Methods
• Differences between Primary &
Secondary sources

3. Data Collection?
• Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring
information on variables of interest, in an established
systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated
research questions and evaluate outcomes
• The data collection component of research is common to all
fields of study including physical and social sciences,
humanities, business, etc.
• The goal for all data collection is to capture quality evidence
so as to translate into rich data analysis

4. Need of Data Collection
• To get information for analysis.
• To get idea about real time situation.
• For comparison between two situation.

5. Factors to be considered before collection of
Data
• Scope of the enquiry.
• Sources of information.
• Quantitative expression.
• Techniques of data collection.
• Unit of collection.

6. Sources of Data

7. Internal and External Source of Data
Internal Sources of Data
• Many institutions and departments have information about
their regular functions, for their own internal purpose.
• When those information is used in any survey, it’s called
Internal Source Of Collection of Data.
• E.g.., Railway Educational Institutes & Social Welfare
Societies etc.

8. Internal and External Source of Data
External Sources of Data
• When information is collected form outside agencies, it is
called external source of data.
• Such type of data are either Primary or Secondary.
• This type of information can be collected by Census or
Sampling method by conducting surveys.

9. Primary Data
• Primary data are those which are collected for the first
time.
• It is real time data which are collected by the researcher
himself.
• This is the process of Collecting and making use of the
data.
• This Data originated by the researcher specifically to
address the research problem.

10. Primary Research Methods
• Focus Groups – bring together respondents with common
characteristics
• Observation - actually view respondents
• Non-personal survey – on site, telephone, mail, fax, computer,
panel
• Personal interview - one-on-one survey with respondents
• Official records – internal document survey research

11. Method of Collecting Primary Data
• 1. Direct personal Investigation ( i.e. Interview Method)
Under this method the investigator collects the data
personally. He approaches the objects, conducts the
enquiry on the spot, collects information. For the
successful collection of data under this method, it’s
necessary that the investigator should be polite, unbiased
and aware of the local conditions, environment and
languages.

12. Method of Collecting Primary Data
• 2. Indirect oral investigation ( i.e. through
enumerators)
Under this the investigator doesn’t collects the information
directly, instead he gets them indirectly through those
persons who know the information and who are ready to
part away with the information they posses. This method is
used in case where direct contact is not possible.
• 3. Investigation through Local reporters Questionnaire
In this method data are not collected through specially
appointed agents/
correspondents/investigators/enumerators but local agents
or correspondents are requested to collect the information.
They collect the information in their own fashion and
according to their liking’s and disliking.

13. Method of Collecting Primary Data
• 4. Investigation through mailed Questionnaire
Under this method the investigator may either appoint
local agents/ investigators/ enumerators and mail them the
questionnaire for collecting information or collecting by his
own using mail or telephone.

14. Method of Collecting Primary Data
• 5. Investigation through Observation
In this watching behaviour of object and most commonly
used method in behavioural science. One major problem in
this method is that Natural response is not obtained when
respondent know he is observed.
Type of Observation-
1)Participant Observation
2)Non-Participant Observation
3)Disguised Observation
4)Controlled Observation
5)Uncontrolled Observation

15. Popular data collection methods
Mailing paper questionnaires to respondents, who fill them
out and mail them back
Having interviewers call to respondents on the telephone
and ask them the question in a telephone interview
Sending the interviewers to the respondent’s home or
office to administer the questions in face-to-face (FTF)
interviews

16. Important characteristics of good
questionnaires
Plan a user-friendly format
Gather demographic data – age, gender, etc., when necessary.
Avoid ambiguity
Ensure ease of tabulation
Develop for completeness – get all the data

17. Secondary Data
Secondary data are those that have already been collected
by others.
These are usually in journals, periodicals, research
publications, official records etc.
Secondary data may be available in the published or
unpublished form. When it is not possible to collect the
data by primary method, the investigator go for Secondary
method.

18. Method of Collecting Secondary Data
1. Published Sources
a) International Publication
UNO publishes a number of journals and periodicals which are best
sources of secondary data for national as well as international facts.
b) Government Publications
The Govt. of India as well as other state Govt. publish data for their use
as well as for the use of researcher and others. These data are very
much accurate and reliable for various types of investigations.
c) Publication
Municipal corporations, boards, etc. publish data pertaining to birth rate,
death rate, literacy, etc. These can be effectively put to use by
investigators.
d) Commercials Research, Educational Institute, Unions, Organizations
These institutions also conduct enquiry and publish their reports through
which data can be had for use of investigators enquiring on the related
subjects.

19. Method of Collecting Secondary Data
2. Unpublished Sources
In some of the cases, enquiry are conducted, data are
classified and analysed but due to some reasons or other
findings are not published though they are preserved either
by the individual or a society. They can also be used by the
investigators as Secondary Data.

20. Sources of Primary & Secondary data
Primary Data Sources
Secondary Data
Sources
Data and Original
Research
Diaries and Journals
Speeches and Interviews
Autobiographies and
Memoirs
Government Documents
Encyclopaedias
Chronologies
Biographies
Monographs (a
specialized book or
article)
Abstracts of articles

21. Difference between Primary and
Secondary Data
PRIMARY DATA SECONDARY DATA
Real time data.
Sure about sources of
data.
Costly and Time
consuming process.
Avoid biasness of
response data.
More flexible.
Past data.
Not sure about sources of
data.
Cheap and No time
consuming process
Can not know if data
biasness or not.
Less Flexible.

22. Data Storage Methods
Database programs (e.g, Microsoft Access, Oracle, SQL
Server)
Advantages: Information is stored as a complete
record. You can easily query the data and create new
variables or data subsets. In many applications, you can
create a user interface for entering the data.
Disadvantages: Requires time and technical skill to
initially design the database and to set up variables
correctly

23. Data Storage Methods
Spreadsheet programs (e.g., Microsoft Excel)
Advantages: Easy to structure spreadsheets for input.
Simple view of the data.
Disadvantages: Data types are not explicitly defined.
Data are not stored as a record. Manipulation of data
(for analyses, etc.) can be error-prone and time
consuming with no record of changes

24. Data Storage Methods
Statistical programs with database options (e.g., SPSS,
SAS)
Advantages: Data entry and analysis are completed in
the same software. Similar to database programs, you
can easily query the data and create new variables or
data subsets.
Disadvantages: Spreadsheet/database options for
statistical applications vary widely. The most powerful
tools can be very time consuming to learn and require
advanced knowledge.

25. Key Points
Remember: Each method of data collection has its use and
none is superior in all situations
Desirable: Selection of method depends on the nature of a
particular problem in consideration of time and
resources.
Required: Experience and ability of the researcher.

26. THANK YOU !