Data: Data in social sciences are based on our sense-observations.Collection of data is the first step for any statistical investigation.

The process of counting or enumeration or measurement together with the systematic recording of results is called the collection of statistical data

The terms associated: Investigator Respondents, and Statistical units.

Preliminaries to data collection:o Objectives and scope of the enquiryo Statistical units to be usedo Sources of information (data)o Method of data collectiono Degree of accuracy aimed at in the final results, ando Type of enquiry.

Requisites of a statistical unit: It should be un-ambiguous It should be specific (e.g; Wages: daily. Weekly or monthly) It should be stable (No fluctuations from place to place or time to time) It should be appropriate to the enquiry It should be uniform.

Sources of data: Primary or secondary depending upon the purpose and scope of the enquiry.

Method of data collection: Problem does not arise if secondary data is used.

For primary data: Census method Vs Sample technique.

Degree of accuracy aimed: Depends upon the objectives and scope of the enquiry. (length of cloth and distance between two places) Type of enquiry:

• Official, Semi-official or Un-official

• Initial or Repetitive

• Confidential or Non-confidential

• direct or Indirect

• Regular or Ad-hoc

• Census or Sample, and

• Primary or Secondary

Choice between Primary and Secondary Data:Considerations:

Nature, objective and scope of the enquiry The time and finance at the disposal of the agency The degree of precision aimed at, and The status of the agency (whether Government, Private institution or Individual)

Methods of Collecting Primary Data: Direct Personal Investigation Indirect Oral Interviews Information received through local agencies Mailed questionnaire method, and Schedules sent through enumerators.

Direct Personal Investigation: Suited only if the enquiry is intensive (local) rather than extensive

Merits:

The information obtained by the investigator himself will be more reliable and accurate.

Removing doubts, if any, and intelligent cross questioning is possible

The responses obtained through personal approach is likely to be more encouraging

Proper information may extract considering the sensitivity issues, prejudices, education level of

respondents, etc.

Demerits: Investigation is restrictive in nature and is suited only for intensive studies

It is time consuming and handicapped due to lack of time, money and man power

It is subjective in nature and depends on the intelligence, skill, tact, insight, diplomacy and

courage of the investigator.

The personal biases, prejudices and whims of the investigator may affect the findings

Indirect Oral Interviews: Information on individuals are obtained from neighbors, friends or relatives, etc.

Merits: Enumerator can exercise his intelligence, skill, tact, etc. to extract correct information

This method requires less time and is less expensive

Expert views and suggestions can be obtained.

Demerits:

The success depends only on the enumerator

Accuracy of data depend to the biases, nature and quality of the witnesses

Information received through local agencies: The investigator appoints local agents called as

correspondents in different parts of field of enquiry. (e.g; governments, media people).

Merits:

This method is cheap and economical for extensive investigations

Part-time correspondents or agencies can be employed.

Information can be obtained expeditiously where only rough estimates are required

Demerits:

Different correspondents fashion and style may affect the results obtained

Results are bound to be biased due to the personal prejudices and whims of correspondents

Method is suitable only to obtain rough and approximate estimates

Mailed questionnaire method: A prepared questionnaire is mailed to the respondents with a request

for quick response within the specified time. Drafting and framing the questionnaire is more important.

Merits: This method is by far most economical in terms of time, money and manpower provided the

respondents supply the information in time

It is used for extensive enquiries covering a very wide area

Errors due to the personal biases of the investigators are completely eliminated as the

information supplied are direct.

The information collected are original and much more authentic.

Demerits:

This method can be effectively used only if the audience is educated and can understand the

questions well and reply them in their own handwriting.

The success depends on the interest shown by the respondents and hence non-response will be

more

We cannot verify the accuracy and reliability of the information received

Informants may be reluctant to give written information in their own hand writing

No scope for asking supplementary questions for cross checking

Schedules sent through enumerators: It is the device of obtaining answers to the questions in a

form which is filled by the interviewers or enumerators in a face to face situation with the respondents.

The most widely used method where very high degree of responses are required

This method is free from certain shortcomings inherent in other methods

Enumerators go to the respondents personally

Ask the questions directly and can record the replies

This method is generally used by big business houses and large public enterprises and

research institutions

Population census all over the world is conducted by this technique.

Merits:

The enumerator can explain everything about the enquiry to the informants

Enumerators can also dispel the doubts, if any

This is useful in extensive enquiries and generally yields better results by the

trained enumerators

Non response is minimum because of the personal approaches of enumerators

This method can be used even with illiterate respondents

Intelligent cross-questioning is possible

Drafting or framing the questionnaire:

The size of the questionnaire should be as small as possible

The questions should be clear, brief, unambiguous, courteous in tone, non-

offending and to the point.

The questions should be arranged a natural logical sequence

Questions should be designed in a manner that are readily comprehensible and are

easily answerable

Questions that are sensitive and personal should be avoided as far as possible.

Demerits:

Expensive method and can be used only by financially sound establishments

It is a time consuming method

Success of this method is depending on the intelligence, insight, patience,

diplomacy and courage of the enumerators and also in drafting the schedule

Individual personalities of enumerators may bring variations in the results

Leading questions must be avoided. For example: Why do you use a particular brand of watch, say, Rolex. This should be framed in two questions as follows:

Which watch do you use?Why do you prefer it? (choice of answers may be given)

Cross checks: Questionnaire should be designed in a way to provide internal checks Pre-testing the questionnaire; A pilot study may be conducted on a small sample to test the questionnaire A covering letter from the organisers of the enquiry should be enclosed with the questionnaire for the following purposes:

briefing the objectives and scope of the survey to evoke the interest of the respondent It should contain the operational definitions of the terms used in questionnaire

It should take the respondents in confidence by ensuring secrecy of the information to be received

A self-addressed stamped envelope may be enclosed in case where mailed questionnaire is used

A copy of the survey report may be promised Mode of tabulation and analysis like hand operation, computerisation, etc; should also be kept in mind

while framing the questionnaire Lastly the questionnaire must be made attractive by proper layout and appealing get up.

Types of Questions:

1. Shut questions: Possible answers are suggested by the framers and respondents need to tick only.

It may be simple alternate questions or multiple choice questions.

Simple alternate questions: The respondent has choose between two clear cut alternatives

like ‘Yes or No’, ‘Write or Wrong’, ‘True or False, etc;

Multiple choice questions: The respondents have to choose between multiple choice of

alternatives given in the questionnaire. Refer the following example:

How do you go to your work place daily?

By bus

By own cycle

By own two wheeler

By own car

By rented taxi

By conveyance given by the employer

On foot

Any other

2. Open Questions: In this type of questionnaire no alternative answers are suggested. The

respondents are at liberty to express their frank and independent opinion