Formulation of Problem

Dr.Prashanta Sharma
Professor
Department of Commerce
Gauhati University
 Factors to be considered for
formulation of research problems
• Researchable
• Draw Interest
• Significant
• Manageable
• Ethical
• Distinct Area
• Words of the problems
 Formulation of objectives
• Clear and no ambiguity
• To serve research problems
• Distinct from each other-No overlapping
• To identify unrevealed truth
• Relation with practical work plan
• Relation with statement of the problems
• Relation with hypotheses
• Researchable and investigative
• Relation with the limitation of the study.
 How do you determine the
number of objectives ?
• The number of research objectives
depends on the nature of research
problems, limitation of the study and
research design.
DATA COLLECTING
TECHNIQUES

Dr.Prashanta Sharma
Professor
Department of Commerce
Gauhati University
 Classification of data

• Primary Data

• Secondary Data
 Choice Between Primary and
Secondary Data
• Nature and scope of the enquiry
• Availability of Financial Resources
• Availability of time
• Degree of accuracy desired and
• The collecting agency, i.e. whether an
individual ,an institution or a Government
Body
Why do you prefer Primary Data
• Mistake in making copy from primary
source, in transcription
• Primary data include definition,term and
unit frequently used
• Copy of schedule, description of produce
used
• Show the information in greater detail:
Emotion
 Limitation of Primary Data
• Diversity in the nature of respondents
• Different approaches and levels of under
standing
• Multiplicity in language
• Geographical location
• Ethics?
 Why Secondary Data
• Convenient
• Quicker to obtain
• In some special issue only secondary data
 Limitation of Secondary Data
• It may not be completely fit for your project
• Accuracy?
Methods of collecting Primary Data

• Direct Personal Interview

• Indirect Oral Interview
• Information from correspondents
• Mailed Questionnaire method
• E-mail
• Schedules Through enumerator
 Direct Personal Interview
• Suitable:Need for Intensive study (limited
Field)rather than extensive field survey
• Merit:
• Encouraging: Emotion
• Accurate
• Supplementary information about informants
correct.
• Carefully handle sensitive questions
• Language communication can be adjusted
 Limitation of personal interview
• Contacting Many Person is Costly
• Personal Bias
• Need Training Thoroughly
• More time Consuming
Difficulty of Telephonic System
• Very few questions can be asked
• Respondent may give vague and reckless
answer
• Communication error
MAIL QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD

PATTERN OF MAIL
QUESTIONNAIRE

STRUCTURED UNSTRUCTURED

NON-DISGUISED DISGUISED NON-DISGUISED

DISGUISED
General Principles of Drafting Questionnaire
• Covering Letter
• Number of question should be small
• Question Should be arranged logically
• Question should be short and simple to
understand
• Ambiguous question ought to be avoided
• Personal Question should be avoided
• Instruction to the informants
 Merit of mail
• Eaay
• Vast
• Cheap and expeditious
• Personal nature
• More scope to think
 Demerit
• Literate people only
• Uncertainity about response
• May not correct
• Suggestion
• No burden
• Postage stamp
• Large sample
• Interest
• Legal compulsionz
•Yes or no question

•Specific information question and open-end

question

•Question should look attractive

•Questions requiring calculation should be

avoided
•Pre-testing the questionnaire

•Cross check
•Method of tabulation
 Pre Testing of Questionnaire
• Draw back of questions
• Idea about extent of non responsive
• Greater co-operation of informant can be
secured
• **********************************************
• Cross Section of people
• Repeated-2nd study.
 Sources of Secondary Data
A. Published Sources
1.Report and official publication
2.Semi-official Publication of various local bodies
such as Municipal Corporation and District Board
3.Publication of autonomous and private institutes,
trade Association etc.
B. Internet
C. Unpublished Sources
 Consideration for editing primary
&Secondary data
• Editing for completeness

• Editing for consistency

• Editing for accuracy

• Editing for homogeneity

 Precautions in use of secondary
data
• Whether the data are suitable for the
purpose of investigation in view

• Whether the data are adequate for the

investigation

• Whether the data are reliable.

 Conclusion
• The adequacy and accuracy of information
depend on selection of suitable method of
data collection in response to the nature of
investigation and other relevant factors. In
selecting the technique of data
involvement of cost and time consumption
ought to receive more attention. Infact,
investigation utilise in many times both
primary and secondary data.
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THANKS