Primary Data

5/23/2018 Primary Data

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PRIMARY DATA

These data are collected first time as original data. These data are called raw

data.

For example, data obtained in a population census by the Registrar General

and Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs is primary data.


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Methods of Data Collection

Primary Data Collection

Observation Method

Schedule/Questionnaire Method

Personal Interview Case Study Method

Survey Method

Field Study

Field Experiment

RRA & PRA


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(1) Observation Method

This is the most commonly used method of data collection especially instudies relating to behavioural sciences.

Accurate watching and noting of phenomenon as they occur in nature

with regard to cause and effect or mutual relation is called observation

method of data collection.


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Characteristics of Observation Method

Direct Method: In observation method data collected through direct contactwith phenomenon under study. In this method sensory organs particularly

eye, ear, voices are used.

Source of primary data:This is a classical method for collection of primary

data.

Requires in-depth study:Here the observer goes to the field and make thestudy of the phenomenon in an indepth fashion to acquire data.

Collection follows observation:In this method the investigator first of all

observes the things and then collects the data.

Selective and purposeful collection:The observations are made with definite

purpose. Collection of materials is done according to a particular purpose.


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Merits of Observation Method

Common method: The method of observation is common to all thedisciplines of research.

Simplicity: This method is very simple to use.

Realistic: Since observation is based on actual and first hand experience, its

data are more realistic than the data of those techniques which used

indirect and secondary source of information.

Verification: For verification of hypothesis, we have to depend on

observation. Therefore, it can be said that the problem presents itself and

resolves itself through observation.


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Limitation of Observation Method

Some observations cannot be treated as objects of observation: Thereare certain events which may not occur at a definite time and cannotbe noticed for observation purpose. For example, it is not possible toobserve emotions and sentimental factors, likes and dislikes etc.

Slowness of investigation: The slowness of observation methods leadto disheartening, disinterest among both observer and observed.

Expensive Methodology: Being a long drawn process, the technique ofobservation is expensive.


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(2) Personal Interview Method

Under this method of collecting data there is a face to face contactwith the persons from whom the information is to be obtained knownas informants.

The interviewer asks them questions regarding the survey and gathersthe desired information.

For example, if a person wants to collect data about the workingconditions of the workers of Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Mumbai. Then hehas to go to the Mumbai plant and ask question to the workers towhom he has chosen as sample.


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Characteristic of Interview Method

It is a close contact or interaction including dialogue between two or more

persons

There is a definite object of interview such as knowing the ideas and views

of others

There is a face to face contact between the individuals


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Types of Interviews

1. Classification Formal interview: In this type of interview, the interviewer presents

a set of well defined questions and notes down answers ofinformants in accordance with prescribed rules.

Informal interview: In contrast with the formal interview theinterviewer has full freedom to make suitable alternations in the

questions to suit a particular situation in formal interviews..2. Classification according to the number: Another classification ofinterview is according to the number of persons taking part in theresearch process. Following are its main types:

Personal interview: In personal interview single interviewer isinterviewed. The personal interview helps to establish close personal

contacts between the interviewer and the interviewee and as a resultdetailed information can be obtained.

Group interviews: Here two or more persons are interviewed at atime. It is suitable to gather information in a group discussion andcross check can be possible.


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3. Classification according to the period of contact:The different types of problems

require different amount of time for contact with the respondents.

Short-contact interview: For filling-up schedules etc., a single sitting of small

duration is sufficient.

Prolonged Contact of interviews: In case of studies where case history method of

research is applied, the interview requires for a long duration to get accurate

information on the respondents.

4. Other Classification:

a. Paired Interview

b. Informal, Conversational Interview

c. Closed, Fixed Response Interview

d. Standardized, Open-ended Interview

e. Business Interview


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Various Steps for Conducting Interview

Define the purpose of Interview

Execution of Specific Format

Script the Interview

Prepare the Respondents Motivate the Respondents


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Merits of the Method

Interviews are ideal for investigating personal, sensitive, or confidential

information which is unsuitable to cover in a group format.

This is also the best method for advertising pre-testing, where the

researcher is seeking individual interpretations and responses.

Demerits of the Method

A skilled interviewer can overcome this to a large degree, through the

establishment of good rapport and trust.


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(3) Questionnaire Method

A questionnaire is a tool or device for securing answers to the set ofquestions by the respondents who fills in the form of questionnaire

himself.

It is systematic compilation of questions that are submitted to a

sample of population from which information is desired.

The questions in a questionnaire are generally arranged in a sequencedepending on the nature of study and are capable of reply.


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Schedule Method

The name schedule is usually applied to a performa containing a set ofquestions which are asked and filled by an interviewer in a face to face

situation with a respondent.


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Types of Schedules

Observation Schedule:Those schedules that are used in observationresearch is called as observation schedule. In these schedulesobserver records the activities and responses of a worker or a groupunder specific conditions.

Rating Schedules:In the field of business guidance, psychologicalresearch, and social research, the rating schedules are used to assessthe attributes, opinions, preferences and other qualitative elements.

Document Schedule: The schedules of this type are used to obtaindata regarding written evidence and case histories from diary, casehistories of the companies or Government records, etc.

Interview Schedule:In an interview schedule an interviewer presents

the questions of the schedule to interviewee and records theirresponses.


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Case Study Method

One of the important and frequently used methods in the area ofmanagement and social sciences for the purpose of investigation is the case

study method.

It is a frequently used method of studyinga person, a group of persons or

community.

Characteristics of Case Study Method

Comprehensive study of a unit: All aspects are studied deeply and

thoroughly.

It deals with both what and why aspect of the problem identified

It makes the individual unit into integrated whole.

In such a case, individual, family, institution or group is considered as a

unified whole.


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Merits of Case Study

It helps in formulating hypothesis, Possibility of intensive study

No need of using sampling techniques

Deeply narrates the subjective aspects of the problem


Comparison is not possible

No method of checking


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Social Survey Method

Social survey is one of the important methods of social investigationconducted in a specific area and purpose. It helps in solving group or

problems of a group or community of course is confined to definite

geographical area.


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Kinds of Social Survey

Regular orAd hocSurvey: Census by Government of India & economicsurvey by RBI, etc., are regular surveys.

Official and Non-official Survey: Survey by Government is official. Survey by

individual, organizations, municipalities, corporations and other

autonomous private bodies are non-official.

Direct or Indirect Survey: In those studies where primary data are collectedfrom the field is the nature of direct study whereas study that uses

secondary data are indirect.


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Primary or Secondary Survey: In the primary survey, researcher involveshimself/herself in the field while in secondary one he/she depends on thework of other researcher.

Personal or Impersonal Survey: Information collected from the personhimself/herself is personal and the information collected from other one onbehalf of the person is impersonal survey.

First or Repetitive Survey: When survey carried out in a particular area or on aparticular subject for the first time is called first or initial survey whereassurvey carried out again and again which is popularly called as repute.


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Merits of Social Survey

With the help of social surveys it becomes possible to study a problemthoroughly and deeply since the problems have been properly diagnosed,therefore it has hope of effective result

The method is helpful for administrators and policy makers

With this method, the trend and direction of social changes are found out

Since the method uses more researchers, hence, bias are reduced to minimum.


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The method needs heavy fund. There is no uniformity in the collection of data as is based on the

individual motive.

The method needs more time for result.

Unexpected difficulties may emerge while at work


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Field Study

Field study becomes a scientific tool for the researcher to the extent that itserves as a formulated research purpose, planned systematically, related to

move general theoretical analysis, recorded systematically and is subject to

checks and controls on validity and reliability.


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Why Field Study

Explore the given area of Subject matter

Gain Insight into Subject Matter

Provide a base for development of hypothesis

Types of Study

Descriptive

Exploratory

What Should be Studied?

In highly-structured studies, the well formulated research problem or

hypotheses clearly point to what data will be most relevant.

But in exploratory studies which is mostly used in case of unstructured

observation, the researcher doesnt know in advance about the different

aspects of the situation will present.


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How the information can be Recorded?

Two major Decisions

i. When notes be taken?

ii. How the notes be kept?

Researcher should be clear in his or her mind by pointing out who are

the participants, how many they are and how they are related to one

other.

He should understand the existing environment under investigation.

The climate conditions, respondents; appearance, the kind of behaviorexpected, and the social character, etc. should be well scanned by the

researcher before going for field study.

The purpose which he has brought the subject participants together, the

nature and the purpose and how the goals of participants are related

etc.. Should be pronounced clearly.

The researcher must understand what participants are doing, how, with

whom and with what they are involved with.

In case of participant observer, he/she should attach emotionally with

the respondents.


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Merits of the Method

The investigator becomes a member of the community being observed by him.Since the community does not know the purpose of the research, it makes the

researcher to gather useful data as per his requirements.

The researcher involves himself/herself in the field, he/she becomes able to gather

deep knowledge.

In this method opinion of the respondents from the field are interpreted accuratelysince there is no question of biasness or pressure emerges to suppress the truth.


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If the investigator has narrowed in the range of experience, this methodmay not be an appropriate to choose as an ideal method for collecting

primary data.

Non-participant study makes the process of field study difficult.

It is difficult to overcome the problems which may surface in the field.

It is time consuming and needs more funds.


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Field Experiment

Festinger, was of the opinion that, the experiment method experiments theeffect on a dependent variable due to the manipulation of an independent

variable.

Experiment studies the control over the subject of study and manipulation of

the independent variable to study the effect on dependent variable.


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Types of Field Experiments

Trial and Error Experiment:This is an earliest form of experiment method.Under this method, the researcher does not prepare a structured plan of

study.

Controlled Observation Study:This includes observation of the phenomena

under controlled conditions and therefore, comes closer to laboratory type of

experiment.


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Natural Experiment:Natural experiment is otherwise known as the fieldexperiment since the experiment is conducted in the field in a natural setting.

Ex-post-facto Technique:This technique is generally used to study the varying

influence of two identical factors.

Laboratory Experiment: A laboratory experiment has been defined by

Festinger, as one in which the investigator creates an artificial situation withthe exact conditions that prevail in the field in which he/she has certain

controls on some variables and manipulates others.


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Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)& Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

RRA emerged in the 1970s as a more efficient and cost-effective way oflearning by outsiders, particularly about agricultural systems, that was

possible by large-scale social surveys or brief rural visits by urban

professionals.

Participant Observer

Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA)

Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA)

Participatory Action Research (PAR)


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Techniques of Implementing PRA

Literature Review

Expert Observation

Semi-structured Interview

Analytical Game

Diagrams


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Conclusion

In conclusion it can be said that among the various methods of datacollection i.e.,observation method, personal interview, questionnaire,

schedule and case study, etc., as discussed above each method has its own

merits and usefulness based on the purpose of study.

Primary Data

Documents

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