Chapter 5

Sources and Methods of data

collection
 Introduction

o Every research study requires information. The question however

is, from where to get the information (data) and how to get them.

o Collection of data refers to a purposive gathering of information

relevant to the subject matter of the study from the units under
investigation.
 Sources of data

 Data can be acquired from different sources. But different sources

can be generally be categorized in two major groups:
Primary and

Secondary data sources.

 Primary source of Data
By primary data we mean the data that have been collected originally
for the first time.

primary data may be the outcome of an original statistical enquiry,

measurement of facts. Ex. data of population census.

or a count that is undertaken for the first time.

Primary data are original observations collected by the researcher or

his agents for the first time.

Primary data is one a researcher collects for a specific purpose of

investigating the research problem at hand.
 Cont’d
Advantage of primary data:
 It enhances the investigators’ understanding of the meaning of
units in which data are recorded.
 It is more accurate as compared with secondary data.
 Its leads the investigator Greater details information.

Dis-advantage of primary data:

 It requires maximum efforts
 It takes time
 It is costly
 Primary Data collection method
o There are several methods of collecting primary data. Particularly
in surveys and descriptive researches the important ones are:
 Questionnaires
 Schedules
 Interview method
 Observation method

o The most common means of collecting data are the interview and
the questionnaire.
 Questionnaire

 A questionnaire is a type of survey where respondents write

answers to questions posed by the researcher on a question form.

 The common type of questionnaire involves:

• closed ended or fixed questions where the respondent is required to
answer by choosing an option from a number of given answers, usually
by ticking a box or circling an answer.
• The open ended questionnaire differs in that it allows the respondent to
formulate and record their answers in their own words. These are more
qualitative and can produce detailed answers to complex problems.
 Cont’d
Advantage:
 Can reach a large number of people.

 Lower costs

 Respondents have adequate time to give well thought out answers.

Dis-advantage:
 Limited answers only can be given.

 Not always accurate

 Low response rate.

 Formats of Questionnaire
1. Questionnaire can be designed based on their level of measurement.

We can also classify questions in terms of their level of measurement.

a. Nominal Scale:- are categorical scales used to identify, label or

categories objects or persons or events. The numbers 1 and 2 are assigned
to two groups. Ex. Classification of students according to sex.

b. Ordinal Scale:-is a ranking scale that indicates ordered relationship

among the objects or events. We might ask respondents to rank order their
preferences using an ordinal question. We want the respondent to put a 1,
2, 3 or 4 next to the candidate, where 1 is the respondent's first choice.
Examples {High, Medium, Low}
 Cont’d
C. Interval Scale: It involves the use of numbers to rate objects or
events. for example, a 1 and a 2 is the same as the distance
between a 4 and a 5

D. Ratio Scales:
It possesses all the properties of the nominal, ordinal and interval
scales.
Data generated using ratio scales may be identified, classified
into categories, ranked and compared with others properties.

For example - heart beats per minute has a very natural zero point.
Zero means no heart beats. Weight (in grams) is also a ratio variable.
 Cont’d
2. Questionnaire can be designed based on its structure:

i. Structured questionnaires: are those in which there are

definite, concrete and preordained questions.

ii. Unstructured questionnaires: is a type of questionnaire, the

respondents provide their feedback based on their interest.
 Questionnaire Construction/ Wording Decision

Keep the language simple.

Keep the questions short.

Keep the number of questions to a minimum.

 Limit each question to one idea or concept.

Do not ask leading questions.

Organize the pattern of the questions appropriately

 2. Schedules
o Schedules are questionnaires filled by the enumerators.

Advantages:
 The enumerator can explain the significance of the inquiry and the
questions in the questionnaire personally to the informants and thus
ensuring collection of accurate and reliable information.

Limitations:
 The enumerator might be biased may and may not enter the answers
given by the respondents truthfully.
 Where there are many enumerators, they may interpret various terms in
the questionnaire according to their own understanding of the terms.
 3. Interviews
o Interviews are a type of survey where questions are
delivered in a face-to-face encounter by an interviewer.

o The interview is like a conversation and has the purpose of

obtaining information relevant to a particular research
topic.

o Interview can be conducted through:

Face-to Face Interviews /Personal Interviews

Telephone interview
 Cont’d
Advantage:
High response rate

Can collect complex information

High degree of researcher control

Dis-advantage:
Limited sample only.

Can be difficult to analyses (especially in-depth interviews)

Whole process is time consuming.

Recording techniques may cause problems.

 4. Observation Method

Observation refers to the process of observing and recording events

or situations.

The technique is particularly useful for discovering how individuals

or groups of people or animals behave, act or react.

Advantage:
Can understand meanings behind actions.

Behavior can be observed in its natural environment, the subject

is undisturbed.
 Cont’d
Dis-advantage:
Time consuming.

Problems with recording data.

Can only study a small group.

Cannot make generalizations

Moral, legal and injury risks associated with this method.

 2. Secondary Sources of Data

Secondary data means data that are already available i.e.,

they refer to the data which have already been collected
and analyzed by some one else.

Secondary data are collected by others and used by others.

Any data that has been collected earlier for some other
purpose are secondary data in the hands of an individual
who is using them.
 Collection of secondary data
Secondary data sources can be classified as:

1. Internal sources:
• Internal data come from internal sources related with the
functioning of an organization or firm where records regarding
purchase, production, sales, profits etc, are kept on a regular
basis.
• However, the internal data can be either insufficient or
inappropriate for the statistical enquiry into a phenomenon. In
that situation we need external data.
 Cont’d
2. External sources:
The external data are collected and published by external
agencies. It includes to sources outside the organization.
Ex: books, periodicals, government documents, reference books,
encyclopedia, journals, magazines, government and non-
government reports.
 Cont’d
Advantage:

It is found more quickly and cheaply

Improves an understanding of the problem

Dis-advantage:
 It may be out of date

 It may not be adequate

 The information does not meet ones specific needs, since it is

collected by others for their own purpose, definitions would differ,
units of measurements would differ, and different time periods may
be involved.
Thanks