Primary Data and Secondary Data collection methods and everything in between

1. Methods of Data Collection
Methods of Data Collection
Presented by
Presented by
Santosh Borkakati
Santosh Borkakati
Asst. Professor
Asst. Professor
Department of Economics
Department of Economics
Mangaldai College
Mangaldai College

2. What is Data?
What is Data?
 Data is a existing information
Data is a existing information
/knowledge
/knowledge represented
represented or
or coded
coded in
in
some form suitable for better
some form suitable for better
usage or processing.
usage or processing.
Data is a set of values of qualitative
Data is a set of values of qualitative
or quantitative variables.
or quantitative variables.

3. Quantitative Vs Qualitative Data
Quantitative Vs Qualitative Data
 Quantitative data are anything that can be
Quantitative data are anything that can be
expressed as a number, or quantified. These
expressed as a number, or quantified. These
data may be represented by ordinal, interval or
data may be represented by ordinal, interval or
ratio scales and lend themselves to most
ratio scales and lend themselves to most
statistical manipulation.
statistical manipulation.
 Qualitative data is a categorical measurement
Qualitative data is a categorical measurement
expressed not in terms of numbers, but rather
expressed not in terms of numbers, but rather
by means of a natural language description. In
by means of a natural language description. In
statistics, it is often used interchangeably with
statistics, it is often used interchangeably with
"categorical" data.
"categorical" data.
For example: favorite color = "blue"
For example: favorite color = "blue"

4. Quantitative Vs Qualitative Data
Quantitative Vs Qualitative Data
 Quantitative and Qualitative data can be
Quantitative and Qualitative data can be
gathered from the same data unit depending on
gathered from the same data unit depending on
whether the variable of interest is numerical or
whether the variable of interest is numerical or
categorical. For example:
categorical. For example:
Data unit Numeric
variable
= Quantitative
data
Categorical
variable
= Qualitative data
A person "How
many children do
you have?"
2 children "In which
country were your
children born?"
India
"How much do
you earn?"
Rs.60,000 p.m. "What is your
occupation?"
Teacher
"How many hours
do you work?"
40 hours per
week
"Do you work full-
time or part-
time?"
Full-time

5. Primary and Secondary Data
Primary and Secondary Data
 The task of data collection begins after a
The task of data collection begins after a
research problem has been defined and
research problem has been defined and
research design/plan chalked out.
research design/plan chalked out.
 While deciding about the method of data
While deciding about the method of data
collection to be used for the study, the
collection to be used for the study, the
researcher should keep in mind two types
researcher should keep in mind two types
of data viz., primary and secondary.
of data viz., primary and secondary.

6. Primary and Secondary Data
Primary and Secondary Data
 Primary Data are collected by the researcher.
Primary Data are collected by the researcher.
 Secondary data collected by someone else and
Secondary data collected by someone else and
have already been passed through the statistical
have already been passed through the statistical
process.
process.
 A researcher as per requirement of study may
A researcher as per requirement of study may
decide on use of primary data or secondary
decide on use of primary data or secondary
data or both.
data or both.
 Both primary and secondary data have their own
Both primary and secondary data have their own
pros and cons.
pros and cons.

7. Methods of Collecting Data
Methods of Collecting Data
 The methods of collecting data
The methods of collecting data
mainly refers to collecting primary
mainly refers to collecting primary
data.
data.
 As secondary data are already
As secondary data are already
available, we have to carefully choose
available, we have to carefully choose
the sources , relevancy of data and
the sources , relevancy of data and
reliability.
reliability.

8. Collecting Secondary Data
Collecting Secondary Data
 Sources of secondary data are existing
Sources of secondary data are existing
literature, Reports of professional
literature, Reports of professional
agencies, Departments, Archives,
agencies, Departments, Archives,
Internet, etc.
Internet, etc.
 While collecting secondary data one has
While collecting secondary data one has
to follow legal procedures required and
to follow legal procedures required and
maintain the academic ethics.
maintain the academic ethics.

9. Methods of Collecting
Methods of Collecting
Primary Data
Primary Data
There are several methods of collecting
There are several methods of collecting
primary data, particularly in surveys and
primary data, particularly in surveys and
descriptive research. Important ones are-
descriptive research. Important ones are-
 Observation
Observation
 Interview
Interview
 Questionnaire
Questionnaire
 Schedule
Schedule
 Other Methods
Other Methods

10. Observation
Observation
See what is happening
See what is happening
– traffic patterns
traffic patterns
– land use patterns
land use patterns
– layout of city and rural areas
layout of city and rural areas
– quality of housing
quality of housing
– condition of roads
condition of roads
– conditions of buildings
conditions of buildings
– who goes to a health clinic
who goes to a health clinic

11. Filtering Observations
Filtering Observations

12. Observation is Helpful
Observation is Helpful
when:
when:
 Need direct information
Need direct information
 Trying to understand ongoing
Trying to understand ongoing
behavior
behavior
 There is physical evidence, products,
There is physical evidence, products,
or outputs than can be observed
or outputs than can be observed
 Need to provide alternative when
Need to provide alternative when
other data collection is infeasible or
other data collection is infeasible or
inappropriate
inappropriate

13. Types of Observation
Types of Observation
 Participatory and Non Participatory
Participatory and Non Participatory
 Candid and Covert
Candid and Covert
 Structured, Semi-structured and
Structured, Semi-structured and
Unstructured.
Unstructured.
 Controlled and Uncontrolled
Controlled and Uncontrolled

14. Advantages/Disadvantages of
Advantages/Disadvantages of
Observation
Observation
Advantages:
Advantages:
 Subjective bias eliminated
Subjective bias eliminated
 Researcher gets current information
Researcher gets current information
 Independent of Respondents
Independent of Respondents
 Disadvantages:
Disadvantages:
 Expensive, Time consuming
Expensive, Time consuming
 Limited information
Limited information
 Unforeseen factors may influence observation
Unforeseen factors may influence observation

15. Interview
Interview
 The interview method of collecting data
The interview method of collecting data
involves presentation of oral-verbal stimuli
involves presentation of oral-verbal stimuli
and reply in terms of oral-verbal responses.
and reply in terms of oral-verbal responses.
 This method can be used through personal
This method can be used through personal
interviews or telephone interviews.
interviews or telephone interviews.
 Structured, Semi-Structured or
Structured, Semi-Structured or
Unstructured Interview.
Unstructured Interview.

16. Interview Types
Interview Types
 Personal Interviews
Personal Interviews: Interviewer asking questions
: Interviewer asking questions
generally in a face-to-face contact to the other
generally in a face-to-face contact to the other
person or persons. Direct personal investigation
person or persons. Direct personal investigation
or Indirect oral investigation.
or Indirect oral investigation.
 Focused Interview
Focused Interview is meant to focus attention on
is meant to focus attention on
the given experience of the respondent and its
the given experience of the respondent and its
effects.
effects.
 Clinical Interview
Clinical Interview is concerned with broad
is concerned with broad
underlying feelings or motivations or with the
underlying feelings or motivations or with the
course of individual’s life experience.
course of individual’s life experience.
 Non-directive Interview
Non-directive Interview is that where the
is that where the
interviewer’s function is simply to encourage the
interviewer’s function is simply to encourage the
respondent to talk about the given topic with a
respondent to talk about the given topic with a
bare minimum of direct questioning.
bare minimum of direct questioning.

17. Skill
Skill of Interviewer
of Interviewer
The main game in interviewing is to
The main game in interviewing is to
facilitate an interviewee’s ability to
facilitate an interviewee’s ability to
answer. This involves:
answer. This involves:
– easing respondents into the interview
easing respondents into the interview
– asking strategic questions
asking strategic questions
– prompting and probing appropriately
prompting and probing appropriately
– keeping it moving
keeping it moving
– winding it down when the time is right
winding it down when the time is right

18. Merits/Demerits of Interview
Merits/Demerits of Interview
Merits:
Merits:
 More and in depth information obtained
More and in depth information obtained
 Personal Information
Personal Information
 Greater Flexibility
Greater Flexibility
 Adaptation as per the respondent
Adaptation as per the respondent
Demerits:
Demerits:
 Bias of Interviewer
Bias of Interviewer
 Expensive/Time Consuming
Expensive/Time Consuming
 Need expertise
Need expertise

19. Questionnaire Method
Questionnaire Method
 A questionnaire is sent (usually by post) to
A questionnaire is sent (usually by post) to
persons concerned with a request to answer
persons concerned with a request to answer
the questions and return the questionnaire.
the questions and return the questionnaire.
 A questionnaire consists of a number of
A questionnaire consists of a number of
questions printed in a definite order.
questions printed in a definite order.
 The respondents have to answer the
The respondents have to answer the
questions on their own.
questions on their own.

20. Steps in questionnaire
Steps in questionnaire
construction
construction
 Preparation
Preparation
 Constructing the first draft
Constructing the first draft
 Self-evaluation
Self-evaluation
 External evaluation
External evaluation
 Revision
Revision
 Pre-test or Pilot study
Pre-test or Pilot study
 Revision
Revision
 Second pre-testing
Second pre-testing
 Preparing final draft
Preparing final draft

21. Essentials of a Good
Essentials of a Good
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
 Questionnaire should be short and simple
Questionnaire should be short and simple
 Question arranged in from simple to difficult.
Question arranged in from simple to difficult.
 Personal and intimate questions should be
Personal and intimate questions should be
left to the end.
left to the end.
 Technical term and vague expression should
Technical term and vague expression should
be avoided.
be avoided.
 Questions should be answered in yes or no ;
Questions should be answered in yes or no ;
multiple choice.
multiple choice.
 Control question to cross check the
Control question to cross check the
information of the responded.
information of the responded.

22. Advantages of Questionnaire
Advantages of Questionnaire
 Lower cost
Lower cost
 Time saving
Time saving
 Accessibility to widespread respondents
Accessibility to widespread respondents
 No interviewer’s bias
No interviewer’s bias
 Greater anonymity
Greater anonymity
 Respondent’s convenience
Respondent’s convenience
 Standard wordings
Standard wordings
 No Variation
No Variation

23. Disadvantages of questionnaire
Disadvantages of questionnaire
 Questionnaires can be used only for educated people.
Questionnaires can be used only for educated people.
 Sometimes different respondent’s interpreted questions
Sometimes different respondent’s interpreted questions
differently
differently
 Questionnaires do not provide an opportunity to collect
Questionnaires do not provide an opportunity to collect
additional information
additional information
 Researchers are not sure whether the person to whom the
Researchers are not sure whether the person to whom the
questionnaire was mailed has himself answered the
questionnaire was mailed has himself answered the
questions.
questions.
 Many questions remain unanswered
Many questions remain unanswered
 The respondent can consult other persons before filling
The respondent can consult other persons before filling
in the questionnaire.
in the questionnaire.

24. Collection of Data Through Schedule
Collection of Data Through Schedule
 Schedules like questionnaires
Schedules like questionnaires
contain a set of questions.
contain a set of questions.
 Researcher /Enumerators appointed
Researcher /Enumerators appointed
collect data through schedules.
collect data through schedules.
 Enumerators go to the field, put
Enumerators go to the field, put
questions to the respondents and
questions to the respondents and
fill the schedules.
fill the schedules.
 Enumerators need to be trained.
Enumerators need to be trained.

25. Questionnaire Vs. Schedule
Questionnaire Vs. Schedule
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
 Mailed, filled by
Mailed, filled by
Respondent
Respondent
 Economical
Economical
 Non-Response high
Non-Response high
 Time Consuming
Time Consuming
 Literate, co-operative
Literate, co-operative
respondents
respondents
 Success depends on
Success depends on
quality of
quality of
questionnaire
questionnaire
Schedule
Schedule
 Direct contact , filled by
Direct contact , filled by
Researcher or
Researcher or
Enumerator
Enumerator
 Expensive
Expensive
 Non-Response low
Non-Response low
 Time bound
Time bound
 No such pre condition
No such pre condition
 Success depends on
Success depends on
quality of enumerator
quality of enumerator

26. Some Other Methods
Some Other Methods
 Warranty Cards
Warranty Cards Post card size cards sent to
Post card size cards sent to
customers and feedback collected through
customers and feedback collected through
asking questions.
asking questions.
 Distributor or Store Audits
Distributor or Store Audits are performed by
are performed by
manufacturer/distributor through salesmen.
manufacturer/distributor through salesmen.
Information so obtained are used to estimate
Information so obtained are used to estimate
market size, market share, seasonal sales
market size, market share, seasonal sales
pattern, etc.
pattern, etc.
 Pantry Audits
Pantry Audits From the observation of pantry of
From the observation of pantry of
customer to know purchase habit of people ( of
customer to know purchase habit of people ( of
which product, what brand, etc.). Questions may
which product, what brand, etc.). Questions may
be asked at the time of audit.
be asked at the time of audit.

27. Some Other Methods
Some Other Methods
 Consumer Panels
Consumer Panels Pantry audit approach on a
Pantry audit approach on a
regular basis is known as ‘consumer panel’,
regular basis is known as ‘consumer panel’,
where a set of consumers are arranged to come
where a set of consumers are arranged to come
to an understanding to maintain detailed daily
to an understanding to maintain detailed daily
records of their consumption and the same is
records of their consumption and the same is
made available to investigator on demands.
made available to investigator on demands.
 Projective techniques
Projective techniques developed by
developed by
psychologists to use projections of respondents
psychologists to use projections of respondents
for inferring about underlying motives, urges, or
for inferring about underlying motives, urges, or
intentions which are such that the respondent
intentions which are such that the respondent
either resists to reveal them or is unable to
either resists to reveal them or is unable to
figure out himself.
figure out himself.

28. Some Other Methods
Some Other Methods
 Use of Mechanical Devices
Use of Mechanical Devices Eye Camera is used to
Eye Camera is used to
record the focus of eyes of a respondent on a
record the focus of eyes of a respondent on a
specific portion of a sketch or diagram or written
specific portion of a sketch or diagram or written
material. Psychogalvanometer is used for
material. Psychogalvanometer is used for
measuring the extent of body excitement as a
measuring the extent of body excitement as a
result of the visual stimulus. Motion picture
result of the visual stimulus. Motion picture
camera is used to record movement of
camera is used to record movement of
consumer at time of purchase. Audiometer is
consumer at time of purchase. Audiometer is
used to know the preferences to TV channels,
used to know the preferences to TV channels,
programmes.
programmes.

29. Some Other Methods
Some Other Methods
 Depth interviews
Depth interviews are those interviews that are
are those interviews that are
designed to discover underlying motives and
designed to discover underlying motives and
desires and are often used in motivational
desires and are often used in motivational
research. Indirect question or projective
research. Indirect question or projective
technique are used to know the behaviour of
technique are used to know the behaviour of
respondents.
respondents.
 Content Analysis
Content Analysis Analyzing the contents of
Analyzing the contents of
documentary materials such as books,
documentary materials such as books,
magazines, newspapers and the contents of all
magazines, newspapers and the contents of all
other verbal materials which can be either
other verbal materials which can be either
spoken or printed.
spoken or printed.

30. Selection of Appropriate Method
Selection of Appropriate Method
of Data Collection
of Data Collection
 Nature, Scope and Object of enquiry
Nature, Scope and Object of enquiry
 Availability of Fund
Availability of Fund
 Availability of Time
Availability of Time
 Degree of Precision Required
Degree of Precision Required

31. Precautions in Data Collection
Precautions in Data Collection
 The data must be relevant to the research
The data must be relevant to the research
problem.
problem.
 It should be collected through formal or
It should be collected through formal or
standardized research tools.
standardized research tools.
 The data should be such as these can be
The data should be such as these can be
subjected to statistical treatment easily.
subjected to statistical treatment easily.
 The data should have minimum
The data should have minimum
measurement error.
measurement error.

32. Precautions in Data Collection
Precautions in Data Collection
 The data must be tenable for the
The data must be tenable for the
verification of the hypotheses.
verification of the hypotheses.
 The data should be collected through
The data should be collected through
objective procedure.
objective procedure.
 The data should be accurate and precise.
The data should be accurate and precise.
 The data should be reliable and valid
The data should be reliable and valid
 The data should be complete in itself and
The data should be complete in itself and
also comprehensive in nature.
also comprehensive in nature.

33. THANK YOU
THANK YOU