METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION.

 The task of data collection begins

after a research problem has been
defined and research design plan
has been made.
 Two types of data:

1)Primary data
2)Secondary data
COLLECTION OF PRIMARY DATA.

 There are several methods of

collecting primary data.
Important one are:-
 1.Observation Method

 2.Interview Method

 3.Through Questionnaires

 4.Through Schedules
OBSERVATION METHOD
 The observation method is most
commonly used method specially in
studies relating to behavioural sciences.
 In a way we all observe things around us.
 Under this the information sought by way
of investigator’s own direct observation
without asking from the respondents.
OBSERVATION METHOD
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Subjective bias is eliminated,if  Expensive method.
observation is done accurately.  Information provided by this
 Information under this is method is very limited.
related to what is currently  Sometime unforseen factors may
happening,it is not complicated interfere with the observational
by either the past behaviour or task.
future intentions or attitudes.  At times ,the fact that some
people are rarely accessible to
 This method is independent of direct observation creates
respondents willingness to obstacle for this method to collect
respond & as such is relatively data effectively.
less demanding of active
cooperation on the part of
respondents .
 It is particularly suitable in
studies which deal with
subjects who are not capable of
giving verbal reports of their
feelings.
INTERVIEW METHOD
 Interview method of collecting data
involves presentation of oral-verbal
stimuli & reply in same.
It can be used through:-
 PERSONAL INTERVIEW
 TELEPHONE INTERVIEW

Personal interview method requires a

person known as the interviewer asking
questions generally in a face-to-face
contact to the interviewee.
INTERVIEW METHOD
Advantages Disadvantages
 More information& that  Expensive method when
too in greater depth can widely spread
be obtained. geographical sample is
 Flexibility to restructure taken.
question is always there.  Personal bias of
 Personal information can interviewer as well as
as well be obtained that of respondent.
easily under this  More time consuming.
method.  Selecting ,training
 Language of interview &supervising the field
can be adopted to the staff is required
ability of interviewee.
Telephone interviews
Advantages
 It is more flexible in
comparison to mailing
method.
 Recall is easy ; callbacks
are simple and
economical.
 Interviewer can explain
requirements more
easily.
 No field staff is required.
 Representative and
wider distribution of
sample is possible.
DISADVANTAGES
 Surveys are restricted to
respondents who have
telephone facilities.
 Extensive geographical
coverage may get
restricted by cost
considerations.
 Possibility of the bias of
interviewer is relatively
more.
 Questions have to be
short and to the point.
THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRES
 This method of data collection is quite
popular, particularly in case of big
enquiries.
 A questionnaire consists of a number of
questions printed in a definite order on
a form.
 The questionnaire is mailed to
respondents who are expected to read &
understand the questions & write down
the reply in the space meant for the
purpose in the questionnaire itself.
 QUESTIONNAIRES
ADANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
 Low cost even when the  Low rate of return of
universe is large &is the duly filled in
widely spread. questionnaires.
 It is free from bias of  Only educated
interviewer. &cooperating
 Respondents have respondents can be
adequate time to give
used.
well thought out answers.  No control over the
 Large samples can be
questionnaire once it is
made use of & thus the
sent.
results can be made more  This method is slowest
reliable. of all.
THROUGH SCHEDULES
 This method is very much like the same
as questionnaire but difference is of
enumerator only.
 These enumerators along with schedules
go to respondents put to them the
question from performa and record the
replies in the space meant for the same.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUESTIONNAIRE&SCHEDULES
1.Questionnaire is generally sent
through mail to informants to
be answered.
2.Data collection is cheap.
3.Non response is usually high
as many people do not
respond.
4.It is not clear that who replies.
5.The questionnaire method is
likely to be very slow since
many respondents do not
return the questionnaire.
6.No personal contact is possible
in case of questionnaire.
1.Schedules is generally filled by
the resarch worker or
enumerator, who can interpret
the questions when necessary.
2.Data collection is more expensive
as money is spent on
enumerators.
3.Non response is very low
because this is filled by
enumerators.
4.Identity of respondent is known.
5.Information is collected well in
time.
6.Direct personal contact is
established.
COLLECTION OF SECONDARY DATA

FOLLOWING CHARACTERSTICS OF DATA SHOULD BE

CONSIDERED BEFORE USING DATA:

1. RELIABILITY OF DATA
2. SUITABILITY OF DATA
3. ADEQUACY OF DATA
 CASE STUDY METHOD

o CASE STUDY METHOD INVOLVES A CAREFUL AND

COMPLETE OBSERVATION OF A SOCIAL UNIT,BE THAT
UNIT A FAMILY,AN INSTITUTION OR A CULTURAL GROUP

o IT PLACES MORE EMPHASIS ON THE FULL ANALYSIS OF A

LIMITED NO. OF EVENTS

o IT IS AN INTENSIVE INVESTIGATION

o THE MAIN OBJECT IS TO LOCATE THE FACTORS THAT

ACCOUNT FOR THE BEHAVIOURAL PATTERNS OF THE
GIVEN UNIT
 RESEARCHER CAN TAKE ONE SINGLE
SOCIAL UNIT OR MORE OF SUCH UNITS
FOR HIS STUDY PURPOSE
 SELECTED UNIT IS STUDIED INTENSIVELY
 APPORACH HAVING TO BE QUALITATIVELY
 MUTUAL INTER-RELATIONSHIP IS KNOWN
 BEHAVIOURAL PATTERN OF UNIT IS
STUDIED
 FRUITFUL HYPOTHESE
 ADVANTAGES

 ENABLE US TO FULLY UNDERSTAND THE

BEHAVIOUR PATTERN
 PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
 FORMULATION OF RELEVANT HYPOTHESE
 INTENSIVE STUDY OF SOCIAL UNIT
 BENEFITIAL IN KNOWING NATURE OF UNITS
WITH NATURE OF UNIVERSE
 ENHANCE EXPERIENCE
 STUDY OF SOCIAL CHANGES
LIMITATION

 CASE SITUATION ARE SELDOM

COMPARABLE
 FALSE GERNALISATION
 TIME CONSUMING
 BASED ON SEVERAL ASSUMPTIONS
 CAN BE USED ONLY IN A LIMITED SPHERE
 RESPONSE OF INVESTIGATOR
QUERY
IF
ANY