Page 85 - DCOM203_DMGT204_QUANTITATIVE_TECHNIQUES_I

Quantitative Techniques – I

Notes 3. Information Through Local Agencies or Correspondents: Under this method, local agents
or correspondents are appointed in different parts of the area under investigation. These
agents send the desired information at regular intervals of time. This method is often
adopted by newspapers.
Merits

(a) This method is useful in situations where the area of investigation is very large and
periodic information is to be collected from the distant places.
(b) It is economical in terms of time, money and labour.

Demerits
(a) The collected information lacks originality.
(b) The information is likely to be affected by the bias of the corespondents.
(c) It is not possible to obtain results with high degree of accuracy.

(d) The information supplied by different correspondents often lacks homogeneity and
hence, not comparable.
4. Information Through Questionnaires Filled by Respondents: The information, in this
method, is collected through the filling of questionnaires by the respondents.
A questionnaire consists of a list of questions pertaining to the investigation. Blank spaces
are left for writing answers. The questionnaire is sent to the respondents along with a
covering letter for soliciting their cooperation by giving the correct information and
returning the filled questionnaires well in time. With a view to get accurate information,
the respondents may also be acquainted with the objective(s) of the investigation along
with the assurance that the supplied information will be kept confidential and shall not, in
any way, be misused against them. To get better response, self addressed and stamped
envelope should also be sent to the respondents, in case the information is to be obtained
by post. The basic assumption underlying this method is that the respondents are educated
and have no difficulty in filling and sending the questionnaires. This method is adopted
by research workers and other official and non-official agencies.

Merits
(a) This method is useful for the collection of information from an extensive area of
investigation.

(b) This method is economical as it requires less time, money and labour.
(c) The collected information is original and more reliable.
(d) It is free from the bias of the investigator.
Demerits

(a) Very often, there is problem of ‘non-response’ as the respondents are not willing to
provide answers to certain questions.
(b) The respondents may provide wrong information if the questions are not properly
understood.
(c) It is not possible to collect information if the respondents are not educated.
(d) Since it is not possible to ask supplementary questions, the method is not flexible.

(e) The results of an investigation are likely to be misleading if the attitude of the
respondents is biased.

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