Methods of Data Collection_MBA_Research Methodology_Parakramesh Jaroli

1. Presented By:
Parakramesh Jaroli
MBA (Dual) II - Semester

2. METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION
UNIT 1

3. Introduction:
• Data collection is one of the most important
part of any research. If not taken seriously and
done effectively will lead to errors in the
result.
• The task begins after the reserch problem is
defined and research plan is drafted.

4. Types of Data:
• Primary Data:
– Data which is collected
afresh and for the first
time, thus happens to be
original in character.
– Data collected through:
Observation method,
Interview method,
through Questionnaires,
schedules etc…
• Secondary Data:
– Data, which have
already been collected
by someone else and
which have already been
passed through the
statistical process.
– Data Collected through
government publication,
journal, reports, books,
magazines and
newspapers, etc…

5. Schedule:
• These are the proforma containing a set of
questions, and being filled by enumerator
who are specially appointed for the purpose.
• Method 1: the enumerators along with
schedules go to respondents, put forward the
questions and record the replies.
• Method 2: schedules may be handed over to
the respondents and enumerators may assist
them in recording the answers.

6. Schedule
• Role of Enumerator:
– To explain the aim and objective of the
investigation.
– Removes all the difficulty and answers all the
query of the respondents.
– Should be able to explain and define all the
technical terms in the schedule.

7. Schedule:
• Points of consideration:
– Enumerators should be carefully selected.
– They should be well trained and well qualified.
– They should be intelligent and should have the
potential to select and examine the truth.
– They should have qualities like: honesty,
hardworking and should have patience and
perseverance.

8. Schedule:
• Merits:
– Useful when used in
extensive enquiries.
– Lead to fairly reliable
results.
• Demerits:
– Very expensive, thus
used by some big
organizations or
government agencies.
Example: Population
Census

9. Questionnaire:
• A Questionnaire is a formal list of questions
designed to gather responses from consumers
on the given topic.
• It is the major instrument used in obtaining
primary data from respondents through the
survey approach.
• It can be viewed as a means of
communication, method for communicating
between interviewer and interviewee.

10. Questionnaire:
• It can be used to secure any or all of four
types of primary data from the consumers:
– Purchase intention
– Attitude and opinions.
– Activities or Behavior
– Demographic characteristics.

11. Characteristics of Good Questionnaire:
1. Completeness.
2. Conciseness
3. Clarity.
4. Co-operation of the respondents.
5. Careful Construction

12. Functions of a Questionnaire
1. It helps in explaining why and how people’s
attitudes, belief, motivation behavior etc., vary
from one group to another.
2. Also aims to measure the sociological variables.
3. Through the questionnaire we are able to achieve
more concrete numerical measurement of
characteristics, it becomes easier to describe the
population characteristics in more specific terms.

13. Main Aspects of Questionnaire:
1. General Form:
– Structured Questionnaire: Questions are
• Definite, Concrete and pre-determined questions.
• Closed form of Questions
• Open form of Questions
• Alternative Questions
– Unstructured Questionnaire:
• General guide on the type of information is provided to the
interviewer.
• Question formulation is the responsibility of the interviewer.
• Replies are in the form of the respondent’s own words that need
to be interpreted by the interviewer.
1. .

14. Contd…
2. Question Sequence:
– Must be clear and smoothly moving.
– First few questions are important as they influence the
attitude of the respondent.
– Opening question should be interesting.
– Avoid:
• Questions that put too much strain on memory or intellect of the
respondent;
• Questions of personal character;
• Questions related to personal wealth.

15. Contd..
3. Question Formulation and wording:
– Should be easily understood.
– Should be simple.
– Should be concrete.
– Try to use multiple choice and objective type
questions.

16. A Good Questionnaire:
1. Questionnaire should be short and simple,
2. Questions should proceed with logical sequence.
3. Personal and intimate questions should either be avoided or
asked in the end,
4. Technical terms should be avoided.
5. Questions may be:
 Dichotomous--- yes/no.
 Multiple Choice
 Open ended (difficult to answer should be avoided)
1. There should be some control in the questionnaire to check the
reliability of the questionnaire.
2. Adequate space should be provided.
3. Provision should be made to express uncertainty.

17. Questionnaire
• Merits:
– Low cost
– Free from bias of the
interviewer
– Respondents have adequate
time to answer the
questions.
– Respondents who are living
far across can easily be
approached.
– Large sample can be used,
results are dependable and
reliable.
• Demerits:
– Low rate of return of duly
filled forms;
– Only be used when
respondents are educated.
– Control is lost once sent
– Inbuilt inflexibility.
– Possibility of ambiguous
replies.
– Difficult to know whether
the respondents are true
representatives.
– Slowest method.