CHAPTER - 14

Data Collection

Concept of Data and Data Collection

Data are the numerical facts that result from the counting or enumerating process. The first stage
of any statistical investigation is data collection, and the main challenge is to gather data related
to the subject. The term “investigator” refers to the person who runs the statistical
investigation. “Informants” or “respondents” are the people from whom the data or information
is gathered, and “statistical units” are the things that are counted.

The systematic process of counting or enumerating the items is known as data collection. Both
quantitative and qualitative data are possible. Quantitative data is any information that can be
counted naturally. Qualitative data are those that reflect an individual’s character. The
investigators can decide how to proceed with the investigation based on their gathered data. The
outcome would be accurate if the data were collected without bias or error and incorrect otherwise.
As a result, the investigator should exercise caution when gathering data.

According to Creswell (2014), data collection is the process of gathering information or data for
research purposes. This process can involve various methods, including surveys, interviews,
observations, and document analysis.

Bryman (2016) defines data collection as the systematic gathering of information from various
sources using various research methods such as questionnaires, interviews, and observations.

Yin (2018) describes data collection as the process of systematically gathering information from
various sources to answer a research question. This can involve a variety of methods, including
interviews, observations, and document analysis.

Patton (2015) defines data collection as the process of gathering information or data through
various methods such as interviews, surveys, focus groups, and observations. This information is
then analyzed to understand patterns, trends, and relationships.

Denzin and Lincoln (2018) describe data collection as the process of gathering and recording
information for research purposes using various techniques such as interviews, observations, and
surveys. The data collected is then analyzed to draw conclusions and answer research questions.

To summarize, data collection is the systematic and purposeful gathering of information or data
for research purposes using various methods and techniques.

Prerequisites of Data collection

The methods used to collect data vary. The nature, goal, and scope of the investigation all influence
the data collection strategy. False data will produce inaccurate and deceptive results.
Consequently, the following factors should be taken into account during the data collection
process:

1. The objective of the inquiry: The survey’s goals should be clearly stated before data
collection to guarantee accurate information. The information gathered could be completely
pointless or even tend to obscure the issue if there is no clear objective.
2. Scope of inquiry: The scope of the investigation should be precisely defined after the
objective is established. The area from which data is to be collected is called the scope. If
the inquiry’s parameters are not established, it may result in the collection of useless data,
wasting time and resources.
3. Find Information Source: After deciding on the goal and scope of the investigation, the
next step is to find the source of information. Data sources can be both internal and external.
Internal data is gathered from an organization’s internal records and is related to the
operation of that organization. External data is obtained from an outside source or through
the intermediary of an outside agency. The information gathered from outside sources could
be primary or secondary. The use of either or both will be determined by the objective and
scope of the investigation. Statistical research is typically conducted when the sources of
information are outside of the organization.
4. Method of data collection: The data can be collected using a census or sampling. Whether
an investigator uses a census or a sampling method depends on the situation, the goal, the
scope, the accuracy, the resources needed, and the amount of time they have.
5. Units of data collection: Before starting to collect data, the unit of measurement or
counting must be clearly defined. The use of range and incorrect units results in the
collection of misleading statistical data.
6. Degree of accuracy: It is impossible to achieve 100% accuracy in any statistical
investigation. As a result, the desired accuracy level must be determined before collecting
data. The desired level of accuracy aids in determining the method of data collection. The
purpose and scope of the investigation will determine it.
7. Types of inquiry: The inquiry to be used should be decided before collecting data. The
types of inquiries used in statistical research are as follows.
a. Direct and indirect,
b. Official, semi-official, or non-official,
c. Original or repetitive,
d. Confidential or open, and
e. Regular
Types of data

Based on Sources Data, there are two types of data:

1) Primary data

Primary data is information gathered for the first time by an investigator or an agent of an
investigator. The primary data are unique, and their main purposes are to reduce the complexity
of an investigation and provide accurate information. These data types come from surveys,
institutions, government departments, research teams, and individuals.

For example, suppose an investigator wants to study a fixed-income generating group’s household
income and expenditure. In that case, he or she will collect data from the specified field, i.e. the
household. Similarly, primary sources are data collected for the first time based on objectives.

Problems in collecting primary data

In collecting primary data, the following problems are to be faced:

1. Information may not be available on the spot, or he/she may refuse to answer or provide an
incorrect answer.
2. Illiterate informants may not understand the questions, making it difficult to obtain accurate
information from them. Because most respondents are illiterate, the mailed questionnaire
method has a high rate of non-response, and informants may not return the questionnaire or
send an incomplete one.
3. Informants may not provide accurate responses to sensitive questions.
4. Enumerators may be deceitful. They may complete the questionnaire without conducting
interviews with the respondents. In addition, an untrained or inexperienced enumerator
cannot collect unbiased data.

Methods of collecting primary data

The different methods of collecting primary data are as follows:

a. Direct personal interview,

b. Indirect oral interview,
c. Information through correspondents,
d. Mailed questionnaire method, and
e. A questionnaire was sent through enumerators.

a. Direct Personal Interview

In this method, the investigator goes into the field and makes inquiries to collect data directly from
respondents. The investigator asks the respondents questions about his investigation and collects
information. For example, if a person wants to inquire about economics marks obtained by Grade
11 students, he would go to school, contact the students, and obtain the desired information.

Merits

1. In general, this method ensures greater accuracy.

2. This method typically elicits a higher level of response from the respondent.
3. Aside from the required information, the investigator can collect various supplementary
data.
4. You can get the right information from them if you talk to them in their native language or
at their level of education.

Demerits

1. This method usually requires more time, labor, and money.

2. This method does not apply to a broader field of study.
3. There is a possibility of receiving biased information

b. Indirect oral interview

Getting correct information about drinking, smoking, and gambling is impossible. In these
situations, the respondent may refuse to answer correctly or give incorrect information. So, to get
more accurate information about him, questions are asked of third parties who know him, like
friends, relatives, neighbors, and so on. The term “witness” refers to this type of third party.

Merits

1. This method is appropriate for a wide range of data collection tasks.

2. This method requires less time, money, and labor.
3. This method is free of the investigator’s and the informant’s bias.
4. The opinion and suggestions of experts can be solicited using this method.

Demerits

1. The investigation’s findings could be skewed.

2. Witnesses may colorize the information based on their interests.
3. A third party or witness may be unwilling to provide information about the respondent.

c. Information through correspondents

In this method, the investigator or agency has local correspondents in various parts of the field of
investigation. These correspondents gather information and send it to the headquarters, where it is
processed. Newspapers, radio, and television commonly use this method.

Merits

1. This method is useful when the subject matter is extremely broad.

2. This method is cost-effective and time-saving.
3. Information is obtained on a regular and convenient basis.

Demerits

1. The results of this method are not very reliable.

2. This method of gathering information may not produce consistent results.

d. Mailed Questionnaire

In this method, a list of questions (known as a questionnaire) is prepared and mailed to various
informants with a request for a prompt and thorough response within a specified time frame. The
questionnaire contains questions and space for responses. Respondents complete the questionnaire
and return it to the investigator.

Merits

1. This method is cost-effective in terms of money, labor, and time.

2. This method is preferable when the scope of the investigation is broad.
3. The results are free of the investigator’s bias.

Demerits

1. When the informants are illiterate, this method cannot be used.

2. This method has a high rate of non-response.
3. The questionnaire may not be filled out completely or carefully.

e. A questionnaire sent through enumerators

The schedule is delivered to the informants via trained enumerators in this method. The
enumerator contacts the informants to obtain responses to questionnaire questions and fills them
out in their handwriting.

Merits
 1. It is useful when dealing with illiterate informants.
2. There is a very low rate of non-response.
3. The information received is accurate.

Demerits

1. This method requires more time, money, and labor.

2. The enumerator may have personal biases.
3. Variations may occur in the information obtained from different enumerators.

2. Secondary data

Secondary data is information that someone gathers for their purposes but that another person or
organization uses. As a result, what primary data for one person may be secondary data for
another? So, secondary data are data that were collected in the first place but came from sources
that were published or not published. For example, the records published by the Central Bureau
of Statistics, Nepal Rastra Bank, NGOs, INGOs, and other official publications are primary data
for their use but secondary data for others.

Problems in collecting secondary data

In collecting secondary data, the following problems are to be faced:

1. Data that has not been published can be difficult to obtain.

2. Data obtained from published or unpublished sources may or may not be suitable and
reliable for further investigation.
3. During the investigation, the required information may not be published.
4. Because of the limitations of primary data, data obtained from secondary sources may be
unreal.

Sources Methods of Secondary Data Collection

There are two sources of secondary data:

A. Published sources
B. Unpublished sources

A) Published Sources

The main published sources of secondary data are as follows:

a. Government Publications

The government publications are listed below:

[Link] Central Bureau of Statistics publishes statistical pocketbooks,

[Link] yearbooks, population monographs of Nepal, and other publications (CBS),
[Link] Survey published by Ministry of Finance,
[Link] National Planning Commission’s Plan document and various publications from various
ministries, departments, and governmental offices.

b. Semi-government Publications

The semi-governmental publications in Nepal are as follows:

[Link] Rastriya Banijya Bank, Nepal Bank Limited, and Nepal Industrial Development
Corporation (NIDC),
[Link] Agriculture Research Centre (NARC), Industrial Service Centre, Nepal Food
Corporation, and other corporations have published reports.
[Link] or Non-government Publications: The private or non-governmental publications in
Nepal are as follows:
a. The report published by research institutes and universities,
b. The report published by the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, and Industry
c. Reports of different companies and financial reports published by prestigious
journals.

c. International Publications

Publication of international agencies provides various statistical information, which are as

follows:
a. Publication Yearbook of World UNO Development such as the UN Report Statistical
(WDR), Year Human Book, Demographic Development Report (HDR), etc ., and
b. Publications of other international bodies such as ILO, IMF, ADB, etc.

B) Unpublished Sources

The unpublished data are also used for statistical investigations. The unpublished sources of data
are as follows:

a. Data collected by various government departments and offices, patient hospitals, records,
Reports from private organizations, businesses, industries, etc.
 b. School, college, and university administration records, as well as Students’ research
projects, such as master’s and doctoral theses.

Precautions in the use of secondary data

Before using secondary data, the investigator should think carefully about whether or not it is
useful. As a result, when using secondary data, the following precautions must be taken.

1. Reliability of data: The reliability of secondary data should be investigated when using it. The
previously collected and processed data should be reliable regarding the survey’s objective, the
method of data collection, the agency conducting the survey, the representatives of sample size
and sample design techniques, the degree of accuracy desired, the data collection period, and so
on.
2. Suitability of data: The available secondary data may or may not be useful for this
investigation. The nature, goal, and scope of the investigation are used to decide if the secondary
data are useful for the current investigation. If the nature, goal, and scope of the available data
are the same as the current investigation, then the data is said to be suitable. If they are not, then
they are not. For example, data collected for the study of urban household income is insufficient
for the study of rural household income.
3. Adequacy of data: Secondary data must be enough, reliable, and right for the current
investigation. If the scope of the first inquiry is much smaller or larger than the scope of the
current inquiry, the data are not enough. For example, data on household income in Kathmandu
Valley is insufficient to study the entire country. Another factor in determining data sufficiency
is time. If only secondary data on agricultural production for the last four years is available, it
will be insufficient to study the trend of agricultural production for the last ten years.

Techniques of Data Collection

a. Census Method:

The census method is a way to collect information from every unit of the population being studied.
For example, to study the annual income of a country’s households, we collect data on the annual
income of every household. This kind of investigation is only useful when the study area is small,
and each unit needs to be looked at in depth.

Instead of choosing a sample, the census method collects information from each person in the
population. A census collects information from every individual or unit in the target population.
For example, a census of a country’s population would entail gathering data from every single
person living within its borders. Because it provides information on every member of the
population, the census method is considered the most accurate and comprehensive method of
gathering data about a population.
When the population is small, or the cost of collecting data from every individual is feasible, this
method is typically used. A census may be legally required in some cases, such as for government
purposes or social, economic, or health-related surveys. However, the census method can be costly
and time-consuming, particularly in large populations. Collecting data from every member of a
population necessitates a significant investment of time, money, and personnel.

Furthermore, some population members may be unwilling or unable to participate, resulting in

incomplete or biased data. Furthermore, the sheer volume of data collected can make accurate
analysis and interpretation difficult. As a result, the census method may not always be feasible or
practical for research purposes.

b. Sample Method (Sampling):

The ‘sample’ is a small subset of the population that contains a finite number of elements and can
represent the population’s characteristics. The number of elements or objects in a sample
determines the sample size. The method or process of data collection in which data is collected
from a representative sample of the entire population is known as sampling. Because only a small
portion of the population is studied, this method is less expensive than the census method.

Difference between the Census Method and Sampling Method of Data Collection

Here’s a table comparing the census method and sampling method:

Basis of Difference Census Method Sampling Method

Definition Collecting data from every Selecting a representative subset

member of the population. of the population for data
collection.
Population Every individual or unit that is A subset of the target
part of the target population population.
Sample Size Entire population. Subset of the population.
Cost High – requires resources, time, Lower cost than the census
money, and personnel to collect method but may still require
data from every individual in the resources for selecting and
population. contacting participants.
Representativeness High – includes every member of It depends on the sampling
the population, providing method used – some methods
accurate and comprehensive data. may not be representative or
may be prone to bias.
Feasibility Suitable for small populations or Suitable for larger populations
when the cost of data collection when it is not feasible or
from every individual is feasible. practical to collect data from
every individual.
Examples Census of a country’s population. Simple random sampling,
stratified sampling, cluster
sampling, etc.

In summary, the main difference between the census method and the sampling method is that the
census method involves collecting data from every member of the population. In contrast, the
sampling method involves selecting a representative population subset for data collection. The
choice between these methods depends on various factors, such as the population size, available
resources, representativeness, and research question.