Sources of Data

PRIMARY & SECONDARY STATISTICSY

Data can be defined as the quantitative or qualitative values of a variable. Data is plural of datum
which literally means to give or something given.

Data is thought to be the lowest unit of information from which other measurements and analysis
can be done. Data can be numbers, images, words, figures, facts or ideas. Data in itself cannot be
understood and to get information from the data one must interpret it into meaningful
information. There are various methods of interpreting data. Data sources are broadly classified
into primary and secondary data.

IMPORTANCE OF DATA AND DATA COLLECTION

Data is one of the most important and vital aspect of any research studies. Researchers
conducted in different fields of study can be different in methodology but every research is based
on data which is analyzed and interpreted to get information. Data is the basic unit in statistical
studies. Statistical information like census, population variables, health statistics, and road
accidents records are all developed from data.

DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUES

There are two sources of data collection techniques. Primary and Secondary data collection
techniques, Primary data collection uses surveys, experiments or direct observations. Secondary
data collection may be conducted by collecting information from a diverse source of documents
or electronically stored information, census and market studies are examples of a common
sources of secondary data. This is also referred to as "data mining."

PRIMARY DATA
Primary data means original data that has been collected specially for the purpose in mind. It
means someone collected the data from the original source first hand. Data collected this way is
called primary data.

Primary data has not been published yet and is more reliable, authentic and objective. Primary
data has not been changed or altered by human beings; therefore its validity is greater than
secondary data.

Primary Sources of Data

Individuals
Focus groups

- Aimed at obtaining respondents' impressions, interpretations, and opinions.

- Provides only qualitative and not quantitative information

- Can not be considered to be truly representative

- Focus groups are used for (1) exploratory studies, (2) making generalizations based on the
information gathered by them, and (3) conducting sample surveys Videoconferencing

Survey
Survey is most commonly used method in social sciences, management, marketing and
psychology to some extent. Surveys can be conducted in different methods.

Questionnaire
Questionnaire is the most commonly used method in survey.Questionnaires are a list of
questions either an open-ended or close-ended for which the respondent give answers.
Questionnaire can be conducted via telephone, mail, live in a public area, or in an institute,
through electronic mail or through fax and other methods. Interview Interview is a face-to-face
conversation with the respondent. It is slow, expensive, and they take people away from their
regular jobs, but they allow in-depth questioning and follow-up questions.

Observations
Observations can be done while letting the observing person know that he is being observed or
without letting him know. Observations can also be made in natural settings as well as in
artificially created environment. You sent

ADVANTAGES OF PRIMARY DATA

Data interpretation is better. Targeted Issues are addressed.
Efficient Spending for Information.
Decency of Data.
Addresses Specific Research Issues.
Greater Control. Proprietary Issues.

DISADVANTAGES OF PRIMARY RESEARCH

✓ High Cost
✓Time Consuming
✓Inaccurate Feed-backs
✓More number of resources is required

SECONDARY DATA
Secondary data is the data that has been already collected by and readily available from other
sources. When we use Statistical Method with Primary Data from another purpose for our
purpose we refer to it as Secondary Data. It means that one purpose's Primary Data is another
purpose's Secondary Data. So that secondary data is data that is being reused. Such data aremore
quickly obtainable than the primary data. These secondary data may be obtained from many
sources, including literature, industry surveys, compilations from computerized databases and
information systems, and computerized or mathematical models of environmental processes.

Secondary Sources of Data

Advantage of seeking secondary data sources is savings in time and costs of acquiring
information.
•Drawbacks: obsolete, not meeting the specific needs of a particular situation or setting
1.Published Printed Sources
There are varieties of published printed sources. Their credibility depends on many factors. For
example, on the writer, publishing company and time and date when published. New sources are
preferred and old sources should be avoided as new technology and researches bring new facts
into light. Books Books are available today on any topic that you want to research. The uses of
books start before even you have selected the topic. After selection of topics books provide
insight on how much work has already been done on the same topic and you can prepare your
literature review. Books are secondary source but most authentic one in secondary sources.

Journals/periodicals
Journals and periodicals are becoming more important as far as data collection is concerned. The
reason is that journals provide up-to-date information which at times books cannot and secondly,
journals can give information on the very specific topic on which you are researching rather
talking about more general topics,

Magazines/Newspaper
Magazines are also effective but not very reliable. Newspaper on the other hand is more reliable
and in some cases the information can only be obtained from newspapers as in the case of some
political studies.

2.Published Electronic Sources

As internet is becoming more advance, fast and reachable to the masses; it has been seen that
much information that is not available in printed form is available on internet. In the past the
credibility of internet was questionable but today it is not. The reason is that in the past journals
and books were seldom published on internet but today almost every journal and book is
available online. Some are free and for others you have to pay the price. E-journals: e-journals are
more commonly available than printed journals. Latest journals are difficult to retrieve without
subscription but if your university has an e-library you can view any journal, print it and those
that are not available you can make an order for them. General Websites; Generally websites do
not contain very reliable information so their content should be checked for the reliability before
quoting from them. Weblogs: Weblogs are also becoming common. They are actually diaries
written by different people. These diaries are as reliable to use as personal written diaries.

ADVANTAGES OF SECONDARY DATA

➤Inexpensive

➤Easily accessible

➤Immediately available

➤Will provide essential background and help to clarify or refine research problem - essential for
literature review

➤Secondary data sources will provide research method alternatives.

➤Will also alert the researcher to any potential difficulties.