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Unit 2: Types of Data Collection: Primary and Secondary, Methods of Collecting Primary Data

• The covering letter may also accompany some small gift etc. to create the acceptance among the Notes
respondents so that there is a greater chance of getting a response. Moreover, the letter may
also give a promise, that if the respondents so desire, a copy of the results of the survey may be
sent to them. This would increase the credibility of the investigator/investigating institution.
• The questions should be framed in a simple way and in easy language. They should be capable
of a straight answer. As far as possible, the questions should be capable of objective answers. A
set of possible answers may be accompanied with each question so that the respondents feel
easy to give the answers. Questions with ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers are also useful.
• The questionnaire should be attractive and impressive. There should be sufficient space for
answering the questions, the quality of paper used and printing on the paper should be good.
It always helps if it is so.
• If it is essential to establish personal contacts, ‘direct personal investigation’ will be appropriate.
But if the number of respondents is large and they are educated also, questionnaire method
shall be better. But if the area covered is very wide and information is to be gathered on a
number of subjects, using enumerators shall be better.
• Highest degree of accuracy is achieved from direct personal investigation and the accuracy is
least in case of information collected from correspondents. Now, on the basis of budget and
other above requirements, the method can be chosen.
2.4 Key-Words

1. Primary Data : Primary research consists of a collection of original primary data. It is often
undertaken after the researcher has gained some insight into the issue by
reviewing secondary research or by analyzing previously collected primary
data. It can be accomplished through various methods, including
questionnaires and telephone interviews in market research, or experiments
and direct observations in the physical sciences, amongst others.
2. Secondary Data : Secondary data, is data collected by someone other than the user. Common
sources of secondary data for social science include censuses, organisational
records and data collected through qualitative methodologies or qualitative
research. Primary data, by contrast, are collected by the investigator
conducting the research.
3. Secondary Data : analysis saves time that would otherwise be spent collecting data and,
particularly in the case of quantitative data, provides larger and higher-quality
databases that would be unfeasible for any individual researcher to collect on
their own. In addition, analysts of social and economic change consider
secondary data essential, since it is impossible to conduct a new survey that
can adequately capture past change and/or developments.
2.5 Review Questions

1. What preliminary steps ought to be taken by a statistician before starting on with the task of
collection of data ?
2. To make collection of data smooth and result-oriented, it is essential for a statistician to carry out
some preliminary steps. Justify the statement giving details about these steps.
3. Describe the questionnaire method of collecting Primary data. State the essentials of a good
questionnaire.
4. What are the essentials of a good questionnaire ?
5. What are the various methods of collecting statistical data ? Which of these is most suitable and
why ?

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