Methods and

Techniques of Data
Collection
Research Methodology
Dr.S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta
Learning Objectives
To discuss about Methods and Techniques of Data
Collection
 Types of Data
 Primary Data
 Secondary Data
 Distinction between Primary and Secondary Data
 Data Collection Procedure for Primary Data
 Major Steps in Conducting a Survey
 Methods for Secondary Data Collection
 Schedule Method
 Case Study Method

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Types of Data
 Primary Data
 Collected by the investigator himself for the purpose
of a specific inquiry or study.
 Such data is original in character and is generated by
surveys conducted by individuals or research
institutions.
 Secondary Data
 The data which has already been collected by others.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

 Primary Data versus Secondary Data
Description Primary Data Secondary Data
1.Source Original Source Secondary Data
2. Observation Method, Questionnaire Published data of Government Agencies
Methods of Data Collection Method, Trade Journal, etc.
3. Not Done Done
Statistical Process
4. Original First time collected by user Data collected by some other agency
Originality of data
5. Data compiled for specific Purpose Data are taken from other source and
Use of Data used for decision
6.Terms & Definitions of units Incorporated Not included
7. Included Excluded
Copy of the Schedule
8. Given Not given
Methods of Data Collection
9. Given Not given
Description of sample
selection
10. More Less
Time
11. Expensive Cheaper
Cost © S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta
Data Collection Procedure for Primary Data

 Planning the study

 Modes of data collection
 Observation
 Experimentation
 Questionnaires
 Sample selection
 Editing the primary data

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Types of studies trough Primary Data

 Structured / Non structured

 Disguised / Non disguised
 Projective Technique / Depth interview

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Steps in Conducting a Survey
 Decide on research objectives
 Methods of collection of data
 Telephone enquiries
 Postal or Mail questionnaire
 Personal interviewing
 Panel Research
 Group Interview Technique
 Special Survey technique
 Construction of a questionnaire

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Types of Questions
 Dichotomous Questions
 Multiple Choice Questions
 Leading Questions
 Ambiguous Questions
 Ranking Item Questions

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

SECONDARY DATA COLLECTION

 Secondary data may either be published data or unpublished data

 Various publications of the central, state and local governments
 Various publications of foreign governments or of international bodies and their
subsidiary organisations
 Technical and trade journals
 Books, magazines and newspapers.
 Reports and publications of various associations connected with business and
industry, banks, universities, economists etc, in different fields, and
 Reports prepared by research scholars, universities economists etc. in different
fields and
 Public records and statistic historical documents, and other sources of published
information.

 Sources of unpublished data are many.

 They may be found in diaries, letters, unpublished biographies and
autobiographies and also may be available with scholars and research workers,
trade associations, labour bureaus and other public/private individuals and
organisations.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Schedule Method
 Schedule may be defined as a Performa that contains a
set of questions which are asked and filled by an
interviewer in a face to face situation with another.
 It is a standardized device or tool of observation to
collect the data in an objective manner.
 In this method of data collection through schedule the
interviewer puts certain questions and the respondent
furnished certain answers and the interviewer records
them as the answers are given.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Schedule Method (Cont…)
 Purpose/objectives
 Delimitation of the Topic
 Aide Memories
 Aid to classification and Analysis
 Types of Schedules
 Observation Schedule
 Rating Schedule
 Document Schedule
 Institution Survey Schedules
 Interview Schedule

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Merits & Limitations of Schedule Method

 Merits
 Higher response
 Saving of time
 Personal contact
 Human touch
 Deeper probe
 Defects in sampling are detected
 Removal of doubts
 Human elements make the study reliable and dependable

 Limitations
 Costly and time consuming
 Need of trained filed workers
 Adverse effect of personal presence
 Organizational difficulties

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Schedule versus Questionnaire
Description Schedule  Questionnaire
1.Methodology Direct Method of primary data collection Indirect method of data collection
2.Contact with Direct contact exists between respondent & researcher Direct Contact does not exist in common.
Respondent
3.Coverage of Area: Limited geographical area is considered Useful for very largely spreader geographical area
4.Reliability of Data High degree of reliability collection is ensured Less reliable
5.Types of Questions Short and pointed answers to the questions are of yes Lengthy and elaborative questions: answers are
or not type detailed and lengthy
6.Response to the Very high question Low response
7.Clarification of It is done during direct contact and discussion Not possible
Questions
8.Distribution Full questionnaire or part there of can be distributed Full text of question have to be distributed
to the respondents
9.Persuasion for It is feasible. Motivation of respondent is done It is not feasible to motivate respondents
Response.
10.Use in sampling Very successful method of research Cannot be used in sampling method of research
method of research
11.Instrument Design The questionnaire are frames keeping in view the Questions are frames keeping in view the
difficulties of tabulators and field workers education & economic standard of respondents
12.Bias in the Data There is great degree of collection probability of It does not exist
business of enumerator in data collection
13.Cost and Time Very large cost and time is required Less costly ad less time consuming Not so trained
Requirement staff is required.
14.Trained staff Trained and qualified staff Simple to organize
15.Organization Difficult to organize © S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta
Easy to organize
Organization of Schedule
 Selection of respondents
 Selection and training of the field
workers
 Interviews and correct replies
 Correct approach
 Proper response
 Correct reply

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Case Study Method
 A small inclusive and intensive study of an individual in
which investigator brings to bear all his skills and method
or as a systematic gathering of enough information about
a person to permit one to understand how he or she
functions as unit of society.
 The case study is a form of qualitative analysis involving
the very careful and complete observation of a person,
situation or institution.
 Case study is a method of exploring and analyzing the
life of a social unit, be that of a person, a family, and
institution, cultural, cultural group or even entire
community.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Case Study Method (Cont..)
 Characteristics
 Study of a unit
 Intensive or in‑depth study
 Knowledge of Behavior Patterns
 Study of the whole unit
 Basic Assumptions
 Totality of the being
 Underlying Unit
 Complexity of Business Environment
 Influence of the Time factor
 Similarity of response in Human Beings
 Resources of circumstances

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Case Study Method (Cont…)
 Advantages
 Intensive and deep study of the problem is possible
 Study of the subjective aspects
 Comparative Study
 Expansion of individual experiences
 Formulation of Valid hypothesis
 Useful in framing questionnaire and Schedules
 Sampling – Stratification of samples
 Location of the deviant cases
 Study of process
 Use of several research method
 Determine the nature of units to be studied along with the nature of the
universe.

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Case Study Method (Cont…)
 Limitations
 Unrealistic assumptions
 Problem of finance, time and energy
 False generalization
 Difficult to test reliability of the validity of the data
collected
 Not possible to apply sampling method
 Defective records
 Lack of Quantitative study
 Prejudice and bias

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

Case Study Method (Cont…)
 Procedure of Case study
 Statement of the problem
 Selection of the cases
 Types of the units
 Number of cases
 Scope of analysis
 Description of the course of event
 Determinants or factors
 Sequence of case study method
 Observation unrecorded
 Anecdotal record recorded
 Anecdotal summary
 Rating Scale and descriptive items marked on the basis of previous
observations.
 Development Record card: Significant information mostly from questionnaire and
other sources is collected and recorded.
 Development record folder

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta

 Questions???

© S.L.Gupta and Hitesh Gupta