Explores the key points on the topics Collection of Data and Case Study Method.

1. Research Methodology
Basics-II
Edited by
Dr.S.Vigneswaran M.A.,Ph.D (NET, SET)
Assistant Professor,
Department of Economics,
Mannar Thirumalai Naicker College,
Pasumalai, Madurai-4.

2. Topics Covered
Collection of Data: Meaning –
Primary and Secondary Data –
Methods of Collecting Primary Data
– Sources of Secondary Data. Case
study method: Meaning –
Characteristics – Limitations.

3. Collection of Data
Meaning:
Collection of data is the process of
enumeration together with the proper
recording of results.

4. Primary and Secondary Data
Primary Data:
Collected for the first time and original in character.
Collected by the investigator himself to study any
particular problem.
Secondary Data:
Already collected by someone for some purpose and
are available for the present study.

5. Primary Data Secondary Data
1 Collected for the first time.(First hand
information)
Already collected and available.(Second
hand information)
2 Original in nature. Already processed.
3 Are in the form of raw data. Are in published or unpublished form.
4 Require a number of investigators to
collect.
Single person is enough to collect.
5 Accurate and reliable. Less reliable than primary data
6 Personal bias is possible. No chance for personal bias.
7 Expensive Less expensive than primary data
Difference between Primary and Secondary Data

6. Methods of collecting primary
data:
1. Direct personal observation.
2. Indirect oral interview.
3. Information through agencies.
4. Mailed questionnaires.
5.Schedules sent through enumerator

7. 1. Direct personal
observation.
 The data are collected by the
investigator personally.
 The enquiry is intensive, rather than
extensive.
 It is original in character.

8. Suitability of DPO method
 Where greater accuracy is needed
 Where the field of enquiry is not large
 Where confidential data are to be
collected
 Where the field is a complex one
 Where intensive study is needed
 Where sufficient time is available

9. Merits of DPO
 Original data are collected.
 True and reliable data.
 Response will be more encouraging.
 A high degree of accuracy can be
aimed.
 Can extract correct information.
 Misinterpretation can be avoided.
 Uniformity and homogeneity can be
maintained

10. Demerits of DPO
 Unsuitable where the area is large.
 Expensive and time consuming.
 Chances of bias are more.
 Untrained investigator will not bring
good result.
 More dependent on the convenience
of the informant.

11. 2. Indirect oral interview.
 The investigator approaches the
witnesses or third parties, who are in
touch with the informant.
 Employed by different enquiry
committees and commissions.

12. Suitability of IOI
 Where the area to be studied is large
 Used when direct information cannot
be obtained.
 Generally adopted by governments.

13. Merits of IOI
 Simple and convenient.
 Saves time, money and labour.
 Can be used for large area.
 Information is unbiased.
 Adequate information can be had.
 Information is collected from different
parties.
 All the aspects of the problem can be
ascertained.

14. Demerits of IOI
 Information can not be relied.
 Interview with an improper man will
spoil the results.
 To get real position, a sufficient
number of persons are to be
interviewed.
 Careless attitude of the informant will
affect the degree of accuracy.
 Witnesses may colour the information
as per their interests.

15. 3. Information through
agencies.
 Local agents or correspondents will be
appointed.
 They do according to their own ways
and tastes.
 Adopted by newspapers, periodicals,
agencies etc.,
 When information needed in different
fields.

16. Suitability of ITA
 Adopted where the information is to be
obtained at regular intervals from a
wide area.

17. Merits of ITA
 Extensive information can be had
 Most cheap and economical method
 Speedy information is possible
 Useful where information is needed
regularly

18. Demerits of ITA
 Information may be biased
 Degree of accuracy can not be
maintained
 Uniformity cannot be maintained
 Data may not be original

19. 4. Mailed questionnaires.
 Questionnaire consisting of a list of
questions.
 There are blank spaces for answers.
 This questionnaire is sent to the
respondents.

20. Suitability
 Where informants are spread over a
wide area.
 Where there could be a legal
compulsion to supply information.

21. Merits of MQ
 Most economical of all other methods.
 Widely used when the area of
investigation is large.
 Saves money, labour, time.
 Error will be very small.

22. Demerits of MQ
 No direct contact to respondents may
lead low degree of accuracy and
reliability of the data. Suitable only for
literate people.
 Delay in receiving duly filled in
questionnaires.
 People may not give the correct
answer.
 The questionnaire is inelastic.
 Informants may not be willing to give
written answers.

23. 5. Schedules sent through
enumerators
 A number of enumerators are selected
and trained to filling up schedules.
 The investigator goes to the
informants and collect data.

24. Suitability of SSTE
 Useful for public organisations and
research institutions.
 Where requires personal contact.

25. Merits of SSTE
 Very useful in extensive enquiries.
 Yields reliable and accurate results.
 Scope of the enquiry can also be
enlarged.
 Useful, even the respondents are
illiterate.
 Less chance of non-response.

26. Demerits of SSTE
 Very Costly method( Training and Pay)
 Time consuming.
 Chance of personal bias may lead
false conclusion.
 Quality of data depends upon the
personal qualities of the enumerator.
 Not suited to all persons

27. Secondary Data
 Already collected by someone for
some purpose and are available for
the present study.

28. Sources of Secondary Data
 Sources of secondary data can be
divided into two:
1. Published Sources
2. Unpublished Sources

29. Published Sources
 Various governmental, international
and local agencies publish statistical
data.
 The following are some important
sources:
(a) International Sources:
Reports by international agencies and
bodies on economic and statistical
matters .
Ex: IMF, IBRD, ILO, UNO, ADB……

30. b. Official publications of Central and
State Governments:
Reports by Union and State
governments on a number of subjects.
Ex: RBI Bulletin, Census of India,
Statistical Abstracts of states,
Agricultural Statistics of India, etc…

31. c. Semi-official publications:
Semi-Government Institutions, like
Municipal Corporation, District Board,
Panchayat, etc., publish reports.

32. d. Publications of Research Institutions:
Publications of research findings by
research institutions.
Ex: Indian Statistical Institutions(ISI),
Indian Council of Agricultural
Research(ICAR), Indian Agricultural
Statistics Research Institute(IASRI),
CDS, MIDS, etc…

33. e. Publications of Commercial and
Financial Institutions:
Ex: Centre for Monitoring Indian
Economy(CMIE), Commercial Banks,
Insurance Agents, etc….

34. f. Reports of various committees and
commissions appointed by the
government:
Ex: Wanchoo Commission – Taxation
Pay Commission Reports
Land Reforms Committee Reports etc…

35. g. Journals and Newspapers:
Current and important materials on
statistics and socio-economic
problems.
Ex: Tamil News Papers, Economic
Times, The Hindu, etc…

36. 2. Unpublished Sources
 Records maintained by various govt.
and private offices.
 Researches carried out by individual
research scholars in the universities or
research institutes.

37. Precautions(Challenges) in the
use of Secondary Data
a) Suitability of data
b) Adequacy of data
c) Reliability of data
d) Old Data
e) Aggregation of Data in inappropriate
unit

38. Case Study Method
Meaning:
Case Study refers to the intensive
investigation of a particular unit.
‘The Social Microscope’ – Burgess
Definitions:
“A comprehensive study of a social unit, be
that unit a person, a group, a social
institution, a district or a community is called
a case study”
– Pauline V.Young

39. Characteristics of the CSM
1. Single Unit Analysis:
One single unit (a person, family, institution or
community) may be studied.
Ex: Study of a particular bank.
2. Intensive Study:
Covers a long period of time and study
intensively.
(5 to 10 years for historical evolution)

40. 3. Integrated Study:
A social unit always has complex
phenomena.
Complete study is needed to cover all facts of
a social unit.
4.Qualitative Analysis:
It does not just collect information, gives a
clear insight into life.
(No. of crime Vs Reasons for crime)

41. 5. Interrelationship can be studied:
Mutual relationship of casual factors take into
consideration.
Social Factors can act and react upon each
other.
6.Behaviour Pattern can be studied:
Since case study method is qualitative in nature, it
can study the reasons for change in behavior.

42. 7. It helps to generalize social science.
8. Flexible method:
Researcher has complete freedom to change
or omit or distort the variables.
9. Complementary Study:
Stresses the need of complementary study
for getting proper solution to the problems.

43. Limitations of CSM
1. Develops Overconfidence.
2. False generalisation
3. Doesn’t provide universal aspects of
a phenomena
4. Consumes more Time, Money and
Man-power.
5. Unscientific and invariable method.

44. 6. Difficult to apply
7. Seldom comparable
8. Scope for errors
9.Objectivity lost
10. Not useful for quantitative studies
11.Unrealistic assumptions

45. Assumptions of Case-Study
Method
 Uniformity of human nature
 Natural history of the unit
 Comprehensive study
 Applicability
 Homogeneity

46. Ref: ‘Statistics’ by RSN Pillai and
Bagavathi
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Thank You.