Page 84 - DCOM203_DMGT204_QUANTITATIVE_TECHNIQUES_I

Unit 5: Collection of Data

Merits Notes
(a) Original data are collected.
(b) Collected data are more accurate and reliable.
(c) The investigator can modify or put indirect questions in order to extract satisfactory
information.
(d) The collected data are often homogeneous and comparable.
(e) Some additional information may also get collected, along with the regular
information, which may prove to be helpful in future investigations.
(f) Misinterpretations or misgivings, if any, on the part of the respondents can be
avoided by the investigators.
Demerits
(a) This method is expensive and time consuming, particularly when the field of
investigation is large.
(b) It is not possible to properly train a large team of investigators.
(c) The bias or prejudice of investigators can affect the accuracy of data to a large extent.
(d) Data are collected as per the convenience and willingness of the respondents.

2. Indirect Oral Interview: This method is used when the area of investigation is very large
or the respondents are reluctant to part with the information due to various reasons.
Under this method, the investigator collects data from a third party or witness or head of
an institution, etc., who is supposed to be in touch with the respondents. When the field of
investigation is very large, the information about a large number of respondents can
indirectly be obtained from one person who may be head (or pradhan) of that community.
Merits

(a) This method is suitable when the area of investigation is large or when the
respondents are reluctant to part with the information.
(b) It is economical in terms of time, money and manpower.

(c) Since the information is collected from the persons who are well aware of the
situation, it is likely to be unbiased and reliable.
(d) This method is particularly suitable for the collection of confidential information.
For example, a person may not like to reveal his habit of drinking, smoking,
gambling, etc., which may be revealed by others.

Demerits
(a) In the absence of direct contact between investigator and the respondent, it may
happen that many important points remain unnoticed.

(b) As compared with direct personal observation, the degree of accuracy of the data is
likely to be lower.
(c) The persons, providing the information, may be prejudiced or biased.

(d) Since the interest of the person, providing the information, is not at stake, the
collected information is often vague and unreliable.
(e) The information collected from different persons may not be homogeneous and
comparable.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 79