G.

D Goenka Public School, Jammu

Governed by OM Prakash Bansal
Charitable Trust

 CLASS- XI
 SUBJECT- ECONOMICS
 TOPIC - “COLLECTION OF
DATA”
 CONTENTS
• Introduction
• Primary & Secondary Data
• Methods of Collecting Primary Data
• Construction of Questionnaire
• Census and Sampling Techniques
• Types of Sampling
• Principles of Sampling
• Statistical Errors
• Sources of Secondary Data
• Precautions in the use of Secondary Data
• Census of India
• NSSO
 KEY TERMS
VARIABLE: The values which change, such as production of food grains per
annum, temperature of a city, etc. They are represented by the
letters X,Y or Z.
OBSERVATION: The value of an variable.

DATA: Observations corresponding to different variables.

STATISTICAL INVESTIGATION: It means investigation on a topic by any
agency where in relevant quantitative information is collected.
 KEY TERMS
INVESTIGATORS: The person who conducts statistical investigation.
ENUMERATORS: A person who helps investigator in the collection
of data.
RESPONDENTS: The persons from whom statistical information

is collected.
STATISTICAL UNIT: The items on which measurements are
taken. Example; weight in kgs.
 KEY TERMS
POPULATION OR THE UNIVERSE: it means totality of
the
items under study.
SAMPLE: It refers to a group or section of the
population from which information is to be
obtained.
GOOD SAMPLE: It is smaller than the population
and is capable of providing accurate information
about the population at lower cost and lesser time.
 SOURCES OF DATA

INTERNAL SOURCES EXTERNAL SOURCES

• Inventory Records
• Profit and Loss Statements
• Sales Figures
• Budget Information
PRIMARY DATA SECONDARY DATA
 PRIMARY & SECONDARY DATA
1. PRIMARY DATA: when the enumerator collect the data by
conducting an enquiry or an investigation. They are based on first
hand information.
For example, you will have to enquire from a large number of school
students, by asking questions from them to collect the desired
information.
2. SECONDARY DATA: When the data have been collected and
processed by some other agency. It is based on second hand
information.
For example, information obtained from publish sources
such as government reports, newspaper.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRIMARY &
SECONDARY SECTOR
METHODS OF COLLECTING PRIMARY DATA

Direct Personal Investigation

Indirect Oral Investigation
Information from Correspondents
Telephonic Interviews
Mailed Questionnaire Method
Questionnaire Filled by Enumerators
DIRECT PERSONAL INVESTIGATION
 SUITABILITY PRECAUTIONS
• Detailed Information • Investigator should have knowledge about techniques
• Area of Investigation is limited • Investigator should be familiar with the area under investigation
• Confidential • Simple , straight and clear questions
• Maximum degree of accuracy • No personal bias
• Originality

MERITS DEMERITS
Originality
Reliable and Accurate Not Suitable for Wide Areas
Flexibility
Expensive and Time Consuming
Uniformity
Other Information Personal Prejudice
Economical Trained Personal
Suitable for all types of questions
INDIRECT ORAL INVESTIGATION
 SUITABILITY
• Concerned informants are unable to give information.
• Large area of Investigation
• To collect Secret and Sensitive information about informants
• Complex problem which needs expert’s opinion.
PRECAUTIONS
• Large number of witnesses
• Information from selected witnesses only
• Investigator should neither disbelieve nor completely believe the
information provided by the witnesses.
• Cross check the information for accuracy.
• Informant should not be prejudiced or biased

MERITS DEMERITS
Wide Coverage Indirect Information
Economical Lack of Accuracy

Free from Bias Partiality of Witness

Expert Opinion Lack of Interest of Informants

Lack of Uniformity
INFORMATION FROM CORRESPONDENTS
 SUITABILITY
• Regular and Continuous Information
• Large area of Investigation.
• When High Degree of accuracy is not required
PRECAUTIONS
• Appointment of correspondents should be made with full
precautions’
• Correspondents should not be prejudiced.
• The number of respondents should be fairly large and reasonable.
• Investigator should make minimum use of their own opinion
• Correspondents should be educated and familiar with problem

MERITS DEMERITS
Wide Coverage Lack of Uniformity

Economy Danger of Partiality

Suitable for Special Purpose Lack of Accuracy of High Degree

Continuity Time Consuming

TELEPHONIC INTERVIEWS
 SUITABILITY
• Telephone Connection
• When data is to be collected in shorter duration

MERITS DEMERITS

Wide Coverage Limited Use

Economical Visual Feedback is not possible
Clarify Doubts
MAILED QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD
 SUITABILITY
• When the field of investigation is very large
• When respondents are literate and are likely to
co-operate with the investigation.
PRECAUTIONS
• Questionnaire should be simple, short and attractive
• Questions should not hurt the informants and should not be very personal
• Question should be in proper sequence or order.
• Objective must be clearly defined.
• Questionnaire should be accompanied by a self- addressed and stamped
envelope

MERITS DEMERITS
Wide Coverage Limited Scope
Economy Less Accuracy and Precision
Lack of Interest
Originality
Chances of Misinterpretation
Free from bias Time Consuming
 QUESTIONNAIRES FILLED BY
ENUMERATORS
 In this method, Enumerator personally visits
informants along with a questionnaire, ask
questions and note down their replies in the
questionnaire in his own language.

 The enumerators are given training to fill the

questionnaire and put the questions intelligently
in the interest of accuracy of information.
 SUITABILITY PRECAUTIONS
• Trained Enumerators • Trained and Educated Enumerator
• Wider Coverage • Enumerator should be polite, tactful, laborious and honest
• Information from illiterate Population • Timely evaluation of work by Enumerator
• Questionnaire should be short, simple and clear

MERITS DEMERITS
Wide Coverage Costly method
Accurate and Reliable information Time Consuming
Better Response Partiality
Limited chance of Partiality Inability of Enumerator
Useful in case of illiterate respondents
 CONSTRUCTION OF QUESTIONNAIRE OR
SCHEDULE

A questionnaire or Schedule is a list of questions relating to the

problem under investigation.
• It requires a great deal of skill, expertise and practice.

• It is to be prepared on such a pattern that it evokes the desired response from

informants.
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO DESIGN A
QUESTIONNAIRE
1. Covering Letter-
• Clear objectives and scope of the survey
• To ensure respondents about their secrecy
• In case of mailed questionnaire method, a self-addressed stamped envelope should be enclosed
• To ensure quick and better response, the respondents may also be offered certain incentives
(free gifts, coupons etc.)
2. Decision regarding Questions -
• Simple Alternative Questions
• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Specific information Questions
• Open Questions
 GENERAL PRINCIPLES TO DESIGN A
QUESTIONNAIRE

3. Number of Questions 9. Questions should be Logically arranged

4. Simple and Short Questions 10. Proper division and sub-division of Questions
5. Avoid Questions requiring calculations 11. Instructions to the informants
6. Avoid Questions using double negatives 12. Cross Examination
7. No Personal Questions 13. Questionnaire should look attractive
8. Avoid leading Questions 14. Pre-testing the Questionnaire
 P L E RE
M AI
A
S ON N
S TI
E
QU
 SOURCES OF SECONDARY DATA

PUBLISHED SOURCE UNPUBLISHED SOURCE

Official Publications of Central and State Govt.
Semi-Govt. Publications
Reports of Committees and Commissions
Publications of the Research Institute
International Publications
When data collected by someone is not published and is
taken by other persons for the purpose of investigation,
then such data is known as ‘Unpublished Secondary Data.
Ex.- Reports prepared by Private Investigation Companies.

Private Publications
Publications of Trade Associations
Newspapers and Magazines
 LIMITATIONS & PRECAUTIONS OF
SECONDARY DATA
LIMITATIONS
 No proper procedure is adopted to collect the data
 Secondary data may be influenced by the
prejudices of the investigator PRECAUTIONS
 Lacks Accuracy  Reliability of Data
 It may not cover the full period of investigation  Suitability for the Purpose
 Not reliable  Census and Sampling method
 Not Original  Adequacy and Accuracy