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Types and Methods of Statistical Data Collection

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17 views3 pages

Types and Methods of Statistical Data Collection

Uploaded by

siddiquigujjar551
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Statistical data

Statistical data classified in two types (i) Primary Statistical data (ii) Secondary statistical
data.

(i) Primary Data; primary data are raw material of a statistical inquiry. It is a
sequence of observed values in their order of collection. It is original in nature. Or
it is first hand collection. It has not undergone any statistical treatment. It is
ungrouped data.

(ii) Secondary Statistical Data; It is a sequence of observations which have been


undergone at least one stage from the source of collection. Secondary data is that
which has already been complied and analysis someone. It is grouped data.

A data can be primary for one person and secondary for the other.

Methods of collecting Primary Data: There are various methods for the collection
of Primary data. The choice of method depends upon the nature, object and scope of
understudy problem; Primary data are collected by the following methods;

(a)Direct Personal Investigation: In this method, the investigator obtains the


information personally. It is necessary for the investigator to meet the people personally
and get the first hand information by putting different questions to them. This method
requires a lot of expenses and time. So it is employed only in laboratory. The information
collected by this method is reliable and accurate. This method is not suitable for
extensive inquiry.

(b) Indirect Personal Investigation: In this method, instead of directly approaching the
informants the investigator interviews third persons who are directly or indirectly in
touch with the information sought. Success or failure of such a method depends upon the
representative character of the witnesses settled for investigation. It is a method i.e., (i)
less expensive and takes less time. (ii) It is a good method for conducting an extensive
inquires.
(c) Mailed Questionnaire Method

In this method a questionnaire containing a number of questions related to the


subject under investigation is prepared. These questionnaires are then sent to the
informants by post. The informants are expected to send them back after filling
them within a fixed period. The question should be easily understood and the
questionnaire should be concise. The answers should consist of “yes” or “No” or
numerical indication where possible. It is less expensive method and has greater
scope but there may be many errors in the answers because there will be no body
to explain these questionnaire.

(d) Investigation through questionnaire in charge of enumerators

In this method, enumerators are appointed who go to informants with the


questionnaire and help them in recording the answers. Here the enumerators help
the informants in understanding some technical terms or a question the concept of
which is not clear to informants. The enumerators should be hard-working and
intelligent. This method is very useful for extensive inquiry but this method is very
expensive.

(e) Investigation through local reports

In this method, local agents of correspondents are appointed in different parts of


the area under investigation. These correspondents are asked to collect information
and hand them over to the investigators. This method is not reliable because it is
approximate. If no accuracy is desired this method is applied. This method is least
expensive. This method gives only rough estimates.

(f) Registration Method:

In this method the information is reported to the appropriate authority when or


shortly after an event occurs like birth and death register.
Methods of Collection of Secondary Data (Four):
(a) Official; Publications of Statistics division, Economic Survey of Pakistan
Ministries of Finance Production, Industry, Commerce, Food and agriculture,
Education, Manpower, Health, Communication and Provincial statistics bureaus,
Population census etc.

(b) Semi-Official; Publication and reports Published by State Bank of Pakistan,


Wapda, Railway and Transport boards, Trading Corporations, Cotton committee,
PIDF, PTDC, District Govt. Local bodies.

(c)Private Sector; Publications of Trade Associations, Chambers of Commerce,


Stock Market, Cooperative Societies, Insurance Companies, Trade Unions etc.

(d) Research Organization; Publications of Research Workers Economists,


Universities, Medical Research, Agricultural Research, Council, P.C.S.I.R. Atomic
energy Commission etc. Technical and Trade journals Periodicals and Newspapers.

Common questions

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Direct personal investigation provides reliable and accurate information because the investigator collects data firsthand but is expensive and time-consuming . Investigation through local reports is less reliable as it provides only rough estimates and is less expensive .

The choice impacts findings significantly; methods like direct personal investigation yield high reliability and precision due to direct interaction, whereas methods like local reports provide less accuracy and are mostly suitable for estimates, highlighting the balance between cost, scope, and accuracy.

Using enumerators enhances comprehension and precision because they assist respondents, leading to more reliable data but at a higher cost, while mailed questionnaires are efficient, cheaper, and have extensive reach but can suffer from misunderstanding and reduced data reliability.

This method, despite providing only rough estimates due to approximate data collection, is beneficial for low-cost, large-scale data acquisition where precision is less critical, making it practical for exploratory studies or initial data scans.

Mailed questionnaires are preferable in scenarios where cost efficiency and wider scope are priorities due to their lower cost and ability to reach many participants. However, they may introduce errors due to misinterpretations by respondents, in contrast to direct personal investigation which is more reliable but cost-intensive.

The registration method provides timely and systematic data collection at the occurrence of events, ensuring comprehensive data, but it might be limited by delays in reporting or incomplete registration, impacting data accuracy and comprehensiveness.

Secondary data from private sectors like Trade Associations and Stock Markets might differ in reliability as they may focus on specific sector interests and could lack the broad oversight and verification processes of official sources like government publications, which are more standardized and thorough.

The success or failure of indirect personal investigation depends on the representative character of the witnesses interviewed as well as their proximity to the information sought .

Primary data are raw, original data collected firsthand, ungrouped, and not yet statistically treated, while secondary data have been previously compiled, analyzed, grouped, and may have undergone statistical treatment .

Official data are government-sourced and generally have rigorous collection and validation standards, making them widely accepted in research, whereas semi-official sources like those from State Banks might offer more specificity but are less comprehensive, influencing researchers seeking detailed sector-specific insights.

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