Sources of data

Primary Source Secondary Source

Primary data is gathered Secondary data refers to

through inquiries, providing information gathered and
firsthand information and is analyzed by another organization
known as data collected or entity, available from
directly by the researcher. published sources or websites.

Primary Data & Secondary Data

Primary Data Secondary Data

This is original. Economical
Efforts are required in order to Adjustments are required to edit
collect the data. and sort data according to
There is no need for any research study
adjustments. Usually can be found in published
Expensive or unpublished sources

Methods of data collection

Personal Interviews
This approach is employed when the researcher can reach all participants
and conducts in-person interviews with them. The method allows the
interviewer to explain the study, answer questions, and ask respondents for
more details if necessary.
Merits Demerits
More detailed information can be Expensive
availed. Trained Interviewers are needed.
Misunderstanding and Time consuming
misinterpretation can be avoided. Respondents may not be interactive
Mailing Questionnaire

In a mail survey, individuals are sent a questionnaire via mail and asked
to complete and return it by a specified deadline. These days online
surveys or surveys through short messaging service, i.e., SMS are popular.

Merits Demerits
Less expensive Possibility of misunderstanding as
It can reach to wider audience. there is no assistance.
Respondents can take their time while Online surveys might not reach to the
answering. audience.

Telephonic Interviews

In a telephone interview, the investigator conducts the interview by

asking questions over the telephone. Telephone interviews are a common
method of gathering information or conducting research without the
need for face-to-face interaction.

Merits Demerits
Less expensive Phone number for all the participants
Take short time might not be available
Clarifications can be done Some people prefer not to answer
Respondents don't hesitate while these type of calls considering it as
answering spam call
Relatively high response rate Reactions cannot be watched

Published & Unpublished sources

Published sources has the data which is available for everyone like on
google/ websites/ books or magazines while only govt. has access to
unpublished sources. They mainly use it for their own use or office
record.
Merits Demerits
Less expensive Need editing
Data is reliable and accurate Unpublished data is hard to find

Census Method
The Census, also known as the Method of Complete Enumeration, is a
survey that includes every element of a population. It is conducted every
ten years in India, covering all households in rural and urban areas, and
collects demographic data on various aspects of the population. The
Registrar General of India is responsible for collecting and publishing
this information.
There are agencies at national and state level to collect the data. Some of the agencies
at the national level are Census of India, National Sample Survey (NSS), Central
Statistics Office (CSO), Registrar General of India (RGI), Directorate General of
Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS), Labour Bureau, etc.

The Government of India established the NSS to conduct nationwide surveys on socio-
economic issues. The NSS conducts continuous surveys in successive rounds and releases
the collected data through reports and its quarterly journal Sarvekshana. The surveys
cover various areas such as literacy, employment, healthcare, consumer expenditure,
industrial activities, and retail prices, which are used by the Indian government for
planning purposes.

Merits Demerits
Less biased Costly
Detailed information Chances of error
Reliable and accurate Not suitable for large information

Sample Method

A sample survey method is a research technique that involves

selecting a sample, of individuals from a larger population and
gathering data from this sample to make inferences about the
entire population. This method aims to obtain representative and
reliable information about the population of interest by studying a
smaller, manageable group.
Merits Demerits
Economical Difficulty in selecting sample
Convenient for large information Specialisation is required
Less time required Chances of wrong conclusions

Methods of Sampling

Random Sampling

Random sampling involves selecting individuals from a population

at random. For example, 30 households from a specific locality are
chosen for a study by randomly selecting their names from a pool
of 300 households. This method ensures an equal opportunity for
all individuals to be included in the sample, and computer
programs are commonly used for this purpose.
Non - Random Sampling

This non-random sampling method involves the investigator's bias

and factors such as familiarity, location, and convenience in
choosing the sample. The selection of 10 households out of 100 can
be based on personal judgment and convenience, rather than
random selection.

Sampling & Non-Sampling Errors Isme bhi galti

Sampling Error
There are 2 main elements in numerical data, one is central tendency i.e. mean, median
and mode and other is dispersion which can be measured by standard deviation, range
etc.
Sampling error refers to the difference between the sample estimate and the actual
value of the characteristic of the population. Thus, the difference between the actual
value of a parameter of the population and its estimate (from the sample) is the
sampling error. It is possible to reduce the magnitude of sampling error by taking a
larger sample.

Non-Sampling Error
Non-sampling errors are more problematic than sampling errors since increasing the
sample size can reduce sampling errors, whereas non-sampling errors are challenging to
minimize, even with a large sample. Even a Census can have non-sampling errors.

Sampling Bias
Sampling bias arises when certain individuals from the target population cannot be
included in the sample due to the sampling method.

Non-Response Errors
Non-response happens when an interviewer can't reach someone in the sample or when
someone from the sample refuses to participate, which affects representativeness.

Errors in Data Acquisition

This error occurs when incorrect responses are recorded. For instance, when students
measure the length of a table, variations may arise due to different measuring tapes or
carelessness. Similarly, collecting data on orange prices can be affected by variations in
different shops and markets, as well as recording mistakes by respondents.
 Important questions with answers

Question Which data is more suitable, primary or secondary?

Answer Suitability of data depends on the survey. If the researcher wants more
accurate data for a new research and the data is not available anywhere
then he can go for primary data collection methods but if the available data
is sufficient for the study, then there is no need to waste resources to gather
it again.

Question Why personal interviews considered the best for detailed study?
Answer Personal interviews provide in-depth understanding of respondent's answer.
The researcher can ask follow up questions, clear misunderstandings and
observe respondents expression.

Question Explain non-random sampling.

Answer This non-random sampling method involves the investigator's bias and
factors such as familiarity, location, and convenience in choosing the sample.
The selection of 10 households out of 100 can be based on personal judgment
and convenience, rather than random selection.

Question What are some non - sampling errors?

Answer Sampling Bias
Non-response errors
Errors in data acquisition

Question Explain census and why is it important?

Answer The Census, also known as the Method of Complete Enumeration, is a survey
that includes every element of a population. It is conducted every ten years
in India. It is important because the data collected in census provide a lot of
information about changes happening in the economy and demographic
details of population which help government in future planning.

*NOTE : Worksheet (Important questions of all typology with

answers) is provided as a seperate PDF on website
padhleakshay.com*