Primary data

Primary data

    The data which is collected by actual observation or measurement or count is called primary data.

    Methods of collection of primary data
    Primary data is collected in any one of the following methods
    1. Direct personal interviews.
    2. Indirect oral interviews
    3. Information from correspondents.
    4. Mailed questionnaire method.
    5. Schedules sent through enumerators.

    Direct personal interviews
    • The persons from whom information are collected are known as informants or respondents. The investigator personally meets them and asks questions to gather the necessary information.

    Merits
    • The collected informations are likely to be uniform and accurate. The investigator is there to clear the doubts of the informants.
    • People willingly supply information because they are approached personally. Hence more response is noticed in this method then in any other method.

    Limitations
    • It is likely to be very costly and time consuming if the number of persons to be interviewed is large and the persons are spread over a wide area.

    Indirect oral interviews
    • Under this method, the investigator contacts witnesses or neighbors or friends or some other third parties who are capable of supplying the necessary information.
    Merits
    • For almost all the surveys of this kind, the informants like within a closed area. Hence, the time and the cost are less. For certain surveys, this is the only method available.

    Limitations
    • The information obtained by this method is not very reliable. The informants and the person who conducts a survey easily distort the truth.

    Information from correspondents:
    • The investigator appoints local agents or correspondents in different places and compiles the information sent by them.

    Merits
    • For certain kinds of primary data collection, this is the only method available.
    • This method is very cheap and expeditious.
    • The quality of data collected is also good due to long experience of local
    • representatives.

    Limitations
    • Local agents and correspondents are not likely to be serious and careful.

    Mailed Questionnaire method
    • Under this method a list of questions is prepared and is sent to all the informants by post. The list of questions is technically called questionnaire.

    Merits
    • It is relatively cheap.
    • It is preferable when the informants are spread over a wide area.
    • It is fast if the informants respond duly.

    Limitations
    • Were the informants are illiterate people, this method cannot be adopted.
    • It is possible that some of the persons who receive the questionnaires do not return them. Their action is known as non – response.

    Schedules sent through enumerators:
    • Under this method, enumerators or interviewers take the schedules, meet the informants and fill in their replies. A schedule is filled by the interviewer in a face to face situation with the informant.

    Merits
    • It can be adopted even if the informants are illiterate.
    • Non-response is almost nil as the enumerators go personally and contact the informants.
    • The informations collected are reliable. The enumerators can be properly trained for the same.
       
    Limitations
    • It is costliest method. Extensive training is to be given to the enumerators for collecting correct and uniform informations

Last modified: Thursday, 15 March 2012, 7:24 PM