After the formulation of a research idea and contemplation of a research plan, process of data collection has to be carried out. It is aimed at finding out answer to a research question or to test a hypothesis. Collected data is then evaluated both in qualitative and quantitative terms according to the nature of research problem. Data collection step is crucial in the sense that any error introduced at this stage propagates to the results and may lead to false conclusions. At the time of data collection, investigator must not be biased regarding a particular outcome. For example while carrying out experiments in laboratories during our gradaution or post-graduation courses, we used to be very sure about the trend observations must follow. Our prejudice may lead us asserting wrong conclusions and may affect the data collection procedure itself.
Data acquisition methods and approaches differ depending on whether the data to be collected is primary or secondary. Primary data is collected afresh by the investigator, however, secondary data has already been collected by someone else and has undergone statistical evaluation.
Primary Data
Primary data is collected by conducting real time experiments by observation methods, interviews and surveys. Data may be collected through questionnaires and schedules.
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Observation method is commonly used in behavioural sciences for example if a person wants to write on the culture, economy, societal structure, values of a village, he may resort to observation method in which he will gather information without asking from respondent. Investigator can collect information either by getting involved as a participant in the community or scrutinizing as a distant obsever without being convoluted in the society.
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Personal or telephonic interviews are conducted in which one to one conversation is carried out whereby interviewer asks some pre-determined questions and records the answers given by interviewee. Interview technique may provide in depth information from the respondent usually difficult to retrieve by observation method alone.
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Method of Questionnaires is most extensively employed in various economic and business surveys. In this method, a certain set of questions is mailed to the respondent swho answers the questions in the space provided in his own words. Multiple choice questions can also be framed in which respondents are asked to select any one of the options provided. Sequence of questions, formulations and wording are at the heart of this method. This is a low cost method when research is to be carried out on a large population. Moreover it is free from the bias of interviewer.
Secondary data
Secondary data can be collected from newspapers, diaries, letters, biographies, autobiographies, reports and magazines of business associations, published articles by research scholars, data published at national and international government sites. However, reliability of such data must be judged prior to its utilization. Following questions can be addressed for decision making:
1. who collected the data?
2. What was the source of data?
3. what was the methodology adopted by investigator for data collection?
4. Time and objective of data collected?
5. Is the data presented adequate and consummate its objective?
During data collection, it is essential to document well all the minute details regarding the experimental set up along with time & date of acquisition, name of the investigator/s, notes and doubts arisen during data collection process. Documentation must be carried out very neatly & with clarity of words.
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