Data Collection

Types of data
Secondary

Data: Which have been gathered earlier for some purpose Data: Collected at first hand either by the researcher or by someone else.

Primary

Secondary Data
ADVANTAGES:

Economical Time saving Can be used as comparison between different kinds of data Study of secondary data increases the understanding of the problem

Secondary Data
DISADVANTAGES: The unit of expression of secondary data may not be the same of the required unit. The class boundaries may not also be the same. Accuracy of data can be questionable May be out of date.

Prerequisites of Secondary data

Availability Relevance Accuracy Sufficiency

Internal sources of Secondary data

Accounting

records Sales Force Reports Miscellaneous Reports Internal Reports

External sources of Secondary data

Government

Publications Non-Government Publications Syndicated Services Consumer Research Services

Methods of Primary Data Collection

Observation: A method used to get both past

and present information. Present behaviour can be observed, but past results of past behaviour may be observed.
Questionnaire: A way of collecting information

by asking of different questions

Types of Questionnaire
Structured

Non-disguised/Direct Structured-Disguised/Indirect Non-structured-Non-Disguised/Direct Non-structured-Disguised/Indirect

Structured Questionnaire

A formal list of Questions framed so as to get the facts The questions are asked strictly at the pre-arranged order. Can be of 2 types:

a) Structured Non- disguised/Direct b) Structured-Disguised/Indirect

Types of Structured Questionnaire

Structured

Non- disguised/Direct-

Where the listing questions are in a prearranged order and where the object of enquiry is reveled to the respondent.
Structured-Disguised/Indirect-

The researcher does not disclose the object of the survey.

Non-Structured Questionnaire

The questions are not structured

The order in which they are to be asked from the respondent is left entirely to the researcher Types: a) Non-structured-Non-Disguised/Direct b) Non-structured-Disguised/Indirect

Types of Non-Structured Questionnaire

Non- Structured Non- disguised/DirectThe questions are not structured and the purpose is disclosed to the students Non- Structured-Disguised/Indirect- The questions are not structured and the purpose is not disclosed to the students

Designing a Questionnaire

Types of Information to be collected Types of Questions

a) Open-ended b) Dichotomous Questions c) Multiple choice Questions

Phrasing of the questions Order of Questions Number of Questions Layout of the Questionnaire Mail-Questionnaire

Open-ended Questions
Gives the respondent complete freedom to decide the Length and form of the answer. It is better when the researcher aims to understand the issue uppermost in the mind of the respondent It is difficult to note down these answers during the interview

Dichotomous Questions
Most convenient and least bothersome to the respondents Simply has to indicate one of the two possible answers Minimum time consuming to respondents

Multiple choice Questions

The respondent is offered two or more choices All possible options are given to the respondent. More time consuming

Sampling terms
Elements:

The unit about which information is collected and which provides the basis for analysis. The set of individuals, items or data from which a statistical sample is taken. It is an agreement of the elements.

Population:

Sampling terms
Sampling

Unit: The element or elements considered available for selection in some stage of the sampling process.

Kinds of Sampling
Convenience

Sampling: The sampler

chooses the sampling units on the basis of convenience or accessibility.

Snowball

Sampling: Initial sampling units

are selected using probability methods, but additional units are then obtained from information supplied by the initial units.

Sampling terms

Judgment Sampling: Units are selected on the basis of what experts thins would satisfy their criterion.