Data Collection Methods

Data Collection Methods In this unit we are going to learn about "Data Collection Methods. We call statistics as the systematic study of the truth. Any statistical enquiry has to pass through following four stages: 1. Observation, 2. Laying down of the hypothesis 3. Predictions based on the studies done 4. Verification of the truth based on the predictions. If we want to create the sound structure of statistical investigation, it is based on the systematical collection of data. We simply classify the data into two main groups: 1. internal data and 2: external data. We can always get the data from the internal collection in the form of internal records of any organization, business firm which may include the records of purchase of raw material, production and sale of the products by the particular firm and it may be control of invoice and the accounting system.

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If the data is external, it means it is published or supplied by the external agencies, which are not the part of the enterprise. The external data when ever collected is either in form of the primary or the secondary sources. Here are different types of Data Collection Methods: We will first discuss the methods of collection of primary Data. Different methods of collection of primary data are: 1. a) Direct personal investigation Interviews help us to collect first hand information.

b) Observations, where the investigator personally approaches each informant and gathers the information. 2. Indirect oral Investigation. In this type of data collection, the investigator instead of approaching the informant, the third party called witness is approached. These types of investigations are conducted mostly by the government as in case study of communal tensions, the opinion of various eye witnesses is being taken. The data collection success rate in this case largely depends upon the experience, sincerity, honesty of the investigator and the personal ability of the interviewer to collect appropriate data. 3. Collecting information from legal agents and correspondence: This method of data collection is basically adopted by the news papers and the government agencies. Most of the agricultural and the crop production index data is collected by this method, where the data is required on the regular bases.

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4. Mailed questionnaire and schedules: This type of data collection is successful on the basis of the format how the questionnaire is prepared and the ability and the knowledge of the informants. The success rate of this method also depends upon the degree of the response given back. When we collect the secondary data, the various sources of the secondary data may be divided as follows: 1. Published statistics which can be in the form of the data published by the central government, by the semi government organizations, publications by the research institutions, business and financial institutes, Newspapers and periodicals and the publications of international bodies 2. Unpublished Statistics: All statistical data need not to be published. Most of the data that is compiled from the records, registers are unpublished. The main types of administrative records from which the data may be collected are the documents which are prepared for the purpose of the registration, preparing license, permits or even loans or sometimes the records which are basically related to the periodical progress, periodical loss or profit or the balance sheet and the balance budgets.

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