Data: Some Glimpses
Dr. Reshma Sinha Ray
Assistant Professor
Dairy Business Management, WBUAFS
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Introduction
A Statistical enquiry or investigation of a phenomenon
always begins with collection of data.
Data implies numerical facts.
Numerical information or data constitute the fundamental
basis of statistical analysis of any problem.
Data is regarded as the soul of statistics.
It can be of two types—
A. Primary data
B. Secondary data
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Primary Data
Primary data are collected for a specific purpose directly
from the field of enquiry.
In this sense, data are original in nature.
Primary data are published by the authorities who
themselves are responsible for their collection.
Example:
1. Reserve Bank of India Bulletin (monthly)
2. Indian Textile Bulletin (monthly)
3. Jute Bulletin (monthly)
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Secondary Data
Secondary data are numerical information which have
been previously collected as primary data by some agency
for a specific purpose but are now compiled from that
source for use in different connection.
Data collected by some agency when used by another or
collected for one purpose when used for another may
termed as secondary data.
Example—
1. Stock market data (BSE, NSE)
2. The Statistical Abstract of India ( annual)
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Distinction between Primary Data and
Secondary Data
There are some differences between primary data and secondary data.
The differences between the two are as follows:
1. Primary data are those which are to be collected for the first time by
the investigator and the data are original in nature. On the other hand,
secondary data are those data which do not originate from the
investigator but which are obtained from someone else’s record.
2. Primary data are raw data to which statistical methods are applied
for the purpose of analysis and interpretation. Secondary data are like
finished products since they have been processed statistically in some
form or the other.
[Link] statistical manipulation, processing and recording primary
data loose their original shape and become secondary data for the
users.
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Choice between Primary Data and
Secondary Data
The choice between these two depends upon:
1. nature and scope of enquiry
[Link] of financial resources
[Link] of time
[Link] of accuracy desired
[Link] of the investigator
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Methods of collecting Primary Data
1. Direct personal observation
[Link] personal interview
[Link] from correspondents.
[Link] sent by mail.
[Link] sent through investigators.
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Methods of Collecting Secondary Data
Main sources are—
Official publications of central, state or local governments
Reports of Committee and commissions on various
enquiries
Trade, technical and economic journals
Books and newspaper
Official publication of government bodies, like, RBI,
CSO etc.
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How to form a Statistical Enquiry?
Statistical enquiry implies statistical investigation wherein
relevant information is collected, analyzed and interpreted by the
application of statistical techniques.
The techniques are—
1. Planning
i. objective and scope of the study, data source, type of enquiry
2. Framing questionnaire to be used for the enquiry
3. Actual collection of data
4. editing the information collected through questionnaire
5. Analysis of the data and interpretation of the result.
6. Preparation of report.
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Some Terminology: Population and
Sample
Population/ Complete Enumeration/Census
The aggregate or totality of statistical information on a
particular character of all members covered by an
investigation is called population.
Sampling
Sampling denotes the selection of a part of aggregate
statistical material with a view to obtaining information
about the whole.
Sampling is a tool which helps to know the characteristics
of the population by examining only a small part of it.
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Complete Enumeration Versus Sample
Survey
A survey carried out on a properly selected representative
sample is called is called a sample survey and on the other
hand, Totality of data is called complete enumeration.
There are some cases where sample survey is preferred
over complete enumeration.
The method is comparatively more economical as it saves
time, expenditure and labour because of limited field of
enquiry.
A sample survey gives a better quality of data than census
method.
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Quantitative Data and Qualitative Data
Data can be of two types—
Qualitative data– non numerical data, considering some
qualitative aspects. These data are regarded as attribute.
Example– Religion, Nationality, Sex, literacy.
Quantitative data- Numerical characteristics of Data.
These data are regarded as variable.
Example- Weight of students, Milk production of a
country etc
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Some aspects of Data
Variable- it a quantity which varies from one individual
observation to another within a given set of values.
Constant- a variable whose domain retains only one value in
a particular situation.
Random variable- Variables that fluctuate in a more or less
unpredictable way are said to be random variables.
Continuous variate- it can take any of the infinite number of
values in a given range. Ex- temperature of a region
Discrete variable-if it takes only a limited number of
isolated values within a given range. Ex-number of family
member in a family, number of workers in a factory etc.
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Some Useful terms
1. Statistical Regularity
[Link] Unit
Per capita Income= Total Income (INR)/ Number of
population (Person)
[Link] error
[Link] of statistics or statistical fallacies
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Thank you
Happy Reading
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