CHAPTER 2

COLLECTION OF DATA

Study Notes

Data

Data is the plural of the term ‘datum’. It is the information collected for a

particular purpose during a statistical investigation. The data is collected using

statistical surveys.

Statistical Investigation

A statistical investigation includes collection, classification, presentation,

analysis and interpretation of data. The person who conduct the investigation is called

investigator. The process of collecting data for investigation is called enumeration.

The persons who collect data for the investigator is called enumerator.

Population and Sample

Population is the totality or the aggregate of all objects under study in a

statistical investigation. The population may be finite or infinite according to the

number of individuals included in the population.

Eg:- 1. Suppose we are studying spending habits of higher secondary students in

Kerala, the population consists of all higher secondary students in Kerala.

2. Suppose or study is limited to the higher secondary students of

Thiruvananthapuram district, the population consists of of all higher

secondary students in Thiruvananthapuram district only.

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 A sample is the representative part of the population. When the population is

infinite or large, we cannot study all the units in the population. In that situation the

study will be conducted based on the sample.

Census and Sampling

The method of collecting data from each and every unit of the population is

called census.

The method of collecting data from the sample is called sampling.

Variables

The factors which can vary from one object to another are called variables.

There are two types of variables – Quantitative variables and Qualitative variables.

Quantitative variables

Variables which can be measured numerically are called quantitative variables.

Eg:- Height, Weight, Temperature etc.

According to the values taken by a quantitative variable, it is again classified as

discrete variable and continuous variable. A discrete variable takes specified values

only. Eg:- The number of members in a family, the number of books in a library etc. A

continuous variable takes any value within a defined range of values. It can take

infinitely many values between any two values. Eg:- Height, Weight, time etc.

Qualitative variables

Variables which cannot be measured numerically are called qualitative variables.

Eg:- Colour, Intelligence, honesty, sex etc.

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Types of Data

(a) Primary Data

The data collected by the investigator directly from the population is called

primary data. It is fresh in nature. It is collected by using appropriate survey

techniques.

(b) Secondary Data

Data obtained from existing sources which may be published or unpublished are

known as secondary data.

Comparison between Primary data and Secondary data

1. Primary data is original in nature but secondary data is not original in nature.

2. Primary data is in the form of raw materials, secondary data is in the form of

finished products.

3. Primary data collection involves more money and time while less money and less

money is needed for collecting secondary data.

4. Trained persons are required for the collection of primary data. The

investigator itself can collect the secondary data.

5. Primary data after use become secondary data. But secondary data cannot be

converted to primary data.

Methods of collecting primary data.

The following are some methods for collecting primary data.

1. Direct personal interview.

2. Indirect oral investigation.

3. Direct observation.

4. Telephone interview.

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5. Mailed questionnaires and schedules.

6. Focus group discussion (FGD).

Questionnaires and Schedules

Questionnaires and schedules are series of questions arranged in a logical order

so as to collect information for a specified purpose.

A questionnaire is usually mailed by post or by email to selected informants. The

informants are directed to fill up the questionnaire and return to the investigator with

in a specified time. The quality of a data collected through questionnaire depends on

the quality of the questions and the honesty of the informants. Using questionnaire is

suitable when the informants are widely scattered and they are literate.

Schedules are useful when the informants are not widely scattered or they are

not literate. While using schedules, the investigator or enumerator personally

approach the informants with the set of questions and collect information. The

questions used in schedules may not be detailed and self explanatory as in the case of

questionnaires.

Comparison between Questionnaire and Schedule

1. Questionnaire is sent by post while the enumerators carry the schedules

personally to the informants.

2. In questionnaire, answers are filled by the respondents. In schedules, the

answers are filled by the enumerators.

3. The informants are to be literate for using questionnaire. The informants need

not be literate for using schedules.

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4. The success of using questionnaire is depends on the quality of questions and

the honesty of the informant. The success of schedules depends on the

honesty and competence of the enumerator.

5. In using questionnaire, the chance of getting incomplete information is more,

But it is less in schedules.

Requisites of a good questionnaires

1. Questions should be capable for collecting all relevant information.

2. The languages and wordings of the questions should be convenient to the

informant.

3. Yes or No questions or multiple choice questions should be preferred.

4. Avoid personal questions.

5. Necessary foot notes should be provided.

6. Limit the number of questions between 20 and 25.

7. The questions should have a logical order.

8. Questions should be self explanatory.

9. Questions should be attractive so as to impress the informant.

10. Questions should be unambiguous.

Sources of secondary data

1. Government publications.

2. Office records in panchayats, municipalities etc,

3. Survey reports of various research organisations.

4. Survey reports in journals, newspapers and other publications.

5. Reliable websites

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