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Unit-10: Types of Data and Their Sources

of data collection. Here he collects the data by directly contacting module-member of his research. notes
the data collected from this type is also called the material collected from primary source because it
is collected first time by keeping in mind the particular problem. The responsibility of compilation
of this data is of the researcher himself. the researcher himself is responsible for the reliability and
usefulness of this material. the researcher has personal attachment in the collection of this material.
As a result of this attachment he collects the data fairly to give his study a scientific pattern. It is also
possible that because of this attachment he gets affected from prejudices, and collects that type of data
which are helpful in establishing his imagination. In that case to keep his research scientific, researcher
needs to keep him free from any prejudicies.
P.V. Yang distributes the primary source of data collection in two parts: Direct source and indirect
source. Under direct source material is collected with the help of observation, interview and schedule
techniques. in direct source, researcher directly connects with the research module. in indirect
source, researcher collects the data by not directly connecting with the research module. in indirect
primary source questionnaire, radio or television, telephonic interview, representative techniques
are important.
Here we will discuss under primary source of data collection observation, interview, schedule and
questionnaire.

self assessment
fill in the blanks:
1. source of data means data is _________ from which source or medium.
2. Look directly at the conduct, nature and ________ of person related to research-subject.
3. Use documents, facts and material according to your ________.
(1) observations—observation comes under the primary source. in this the researcher himself reaches
the research place and sees fairly the incidents, conditions, things, customs, and nature, and watches
them indifferently and on the basis of that collects the data. this technique can be used in limited
field. And also this type of observation should not be connected to the thinking, trust, emotions
and psychology of people since they cannot be studied by observation technique. observation is of
three types—first, Participant Observation; Second, Quasi Participant Observation and Third, Non -
Participant observation. in Participant observation researcher becomes a member or part of that group
or community, which he has to study. By doing this he can gather important information of the group.
in Quasi Participant observation researcher does not become a member of the group for a long time
but he comes in close contact with the group on special occasions in order to gather data regarding
special occasions. in Non-Participant observation neither researcher makes contact with the group
or people, nor does he become a member of the group. He collects the data in the form of a viewer by
watching the circumstances. this technique of data collection is more reliable and dependable.
(2) interview—in this conversation is made directly with the people associated with the research
subject and the necessary data is collected regarding research. this technique is known as interview.
in this the researcher can take the help of the interview Guide. if he wishes he can collect data by free
conversation. the persons related to incident or subject can give reliable and dependable information,
then also some questions can be asked by the interviewer with the help of which collected material
can be investigated.
(3) Schedule—there is a list of schedule questions in which the researcher himself or his associates
fills the answers by going to the field and by asking questions to informers. In this method by the
medium of schedule an original contact establishes between researcher and informers. With the help of
this technique, illiterate persons also get information easily. this is quite a reliable source of receiving
information. the main advantage of studying with the help of this technique is that the researchers
gets the time to observe the incidents.

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