CHAPTER COLLECTION OF DATA
Contents:-
Sources of data
Primary and Secondary data
Methods of collecting Primary data
Sources of secondary data
SOURCES OF DATA-PRIMARY AND SECONADRY SOURCE
Q:- Define data. What are the main sources of data?
Ans.
Meaning of data
It means collection of facts and figures from which conclusion may be drawn.
Data is the base upon which statistical investigation is made.
The success and failure of statistical investigation mainly depend upon the quality,
adequacy and accuracy of data.
Sources of data
There are two sources of data:-
1) Primary source:-
Primary source of data implies collection of data from its source of origin.
It offers first hand information relating to our statistical study.
2) Secondary source:-
Secondary source of data implies collection of data from some other agency or
institution which have already collected the data through statistical survey.
It does not offer first hand information relating to our statistical study.
PRIMARY AND SECONDARY DATA
Q:-Define Primary and Secondary data? Give one example of each.
Ans.
Primary data:-
Primary data are those which are originally collected by an investigator or agency for
the first time for some specific purpose.
For example:-Population census conducted by Government of India.
The source from which primary data are collected are called the primary source
Primary data are original in character because they are collected for the first time. It is
first hand information.
Primary data once collected and published becomes secondary data.
Secondary data:-
The data which are not directly collected from the source of its origin but obtained
from the published or unpublished sources are known as Secondary data.
They are already in existence and they were collected by other agency for some other
purpose.
For example:-Economic Survey published by Government of India, National Accounts
Statistics published by the CSO.
The source from which secondary data is collected is called the primary source
It is also known as Second Hand Data.
These are not Original data because the enumerators or investigators do not collect
these data from the source of its origin. They simply make use of the data collected by
the others.
Q:-Distinguish between Primary and Secondary data?
Ans.
Basis Primary data Secondary data
Originality Primary data are original because they Secondary data are not original
are collected by the investigator from because they are already in existence
the source of its origin. and they are collected by other
agency.
Adjustment Primary data are related to a specific Secondary data are already in
objective of the investigator. existence and they were collected by
Therefore, these data do not need any other agency for some other purpose.
adjustment for the concerned study. Therefore, these data need to be
adjusted to suit the objective of the
study.
Time factor Primary data requires longer time for Secondary data requires less time for
its collection. its collection.
Cost Primary data are costlier than Secondary data are simply collected
factor secondary data in terms of time, from the published or unpublished
money and efforts because primary materials. Therefore, these are much
data are collected for the first time cheaper than primary data.
from their sources of origin.
Reliability
and
Precautions
