Question

Anyone please tell me this answer ! ​

Answer 1

Primary data may be collected either through observation or through direct communication with respondents in one form or another through personal interviews. There are several ways of collecting pri­mary data.

These may be:

(i) Observation method,(ii) Interview method,

(iii) Questionnaire method, and

(iv) Schedule method.

i. Observation Method:

In observation method, the information is sought by way of investi­gator’s own direct observation without asking from the respondent. The main advantage of this method is that it is free from subjective biasness, as it is free from respondent’s willingness. It is, however, an expensive and time consuming method. Moreover, the information provided by this method is very limited and some of the more busy people like executives may not be accessible to direct observation.

ii. Interview Method:

Primary data may be collected either through personal interviews or through telephonic interviews:(a) In the personal interviews the interviewer asks questions gen­erally in a face to face contact. Through interview method more and reliable information may be obtained. Personal information can be obtained easily under this method. It is, however, a very expensive and time consuming method, especially when large and widely spread geographical sample is taken. Certain types of respondents, such as officials, executives or people of high income groups, may not be easily accessible.In this method, the respondent may give wrong and imaginary information. For effective interview there should be a good rapport with respondents which is often very diffi­cult to develop. For a good result the interviewer’s approach should be friendly, courteous, conversational and unbiased for which a proper training is required.

(b) In telephonic interviews contact is made with the respondents through telephone.The main merits of telephonic interviews are:

(i) It is more flexible and faster than other methods.

(ii) It is cheaper and less time consuming.

(iii) Recall is easy and replies can be recorded without causing embarrassment to respondents.(iv) At times, access can be made to respondents who otherwise cannot be contacted for one reason or the other.

(v) No staff is required and wider representation of sample is possible.

This method also has several weaknesses. For example, the sur­veys are restricted to respondents who have telephonic facilities and little time is given to respondents for considered answers. It is not suitable for intensive surveys where comprehensive answers are re­quired for various questions.The main merits of this method are given below:

iii. Questionnaire Method:

In this method a questionnaire is mailed to the person concerned with a request to answer the questions and return the questionnaire. This method is most extensively applied in various researches of human and economic geography.

The main merits of this method are given below:

(i) There is low cost even when the universe is large and is wide­spread geographically.

(ii) It is free from bias of interviewer as answers are respondent’s own words.

(iii) Respondents, who are not easily approachable, can also be reached conveniently. Moreover, respondents are given enough time to give well thought answers.

The main demerits of this method are:

(i) Low rate of return of the duly filled questionnaires.

(ii) It can be used only when the respondents are educated and cooperative.

(iii) The control of the questionnaire may be lost once it is sent.

(iv) It is difficult to know whether willing respondents are truly representative.

(v) This method is likely to be the slowest of all.

iv. Schedule Method:

This method of data collection is very much like the collection of data through questionnaires, with little difference that lies in the fact that schedules (proforma containing a set of questions) are being filled in by the enumerators who are specially appointed for this pur­pose. Enumerators explain the aims and objects of the investigation and also remove the difficulties which any respondent may feel in understanding the implications of a particular question.

For the selection of an appropriate method, the objective, nature and scope of study, the availability of time and funds, and the level of precision required are to be taken into consideration

This method is very useful in extensive enquiries and can lead to fairly reliable results. It is, however, very expensive and is usually adopted in investigations conducted by governmental agencies or by some organizations. Population census all over the world is con­ducted through this method.

Answer 2

Point out four important methods of collecting primary data. Elaborate them.

The primary also known as original data. It is the data that is collected by investigator for his or her own specific purpose for the first time from beginning to the end. There are several methods of collecting basic data. Like:-

• Direct personal investigation

The direct personal investigation is the method in which investigator directly goes to the people whom he have to collect information from. The investigator makes a direct relationship with all those people also know as informants. This type of investigation is suitable particularly when the field of investigation as not very large, there is a greater need of originality in data, information is to be kept secret and direct contact with the informations is required. Whereas, the demerits of personal investigation include personal biasness, limited coverage and it is expensive in terms of time and money.

• Direct oral investigation

The direct oral investigation is the method in which information is obtained from people who are expected to have the necessary information other than the informants. The data is collected orally. This type of method is suitable particularly when the field of investigation is large, direct contact isn't required, concerned information are not able to give particular information due to lack of education and investigation is very complex. This technique is comparatively less expensive than direct personal investigation. It's biasness. The demerits of this investigation are that is less accurate and it processes to have doubtful conclusions.

• Information from correspondents

Under this technique, investigator points local people known as correspondence at different places for collection of information in their own way and to submit them to investigator. This technique is suitable when there is regular and continuous information required, area of investigation is comparatively large and very high degree of accuracy is not required. The merits of this technique are that is economical, it can cover wide area. The merits of this technique are that, the information provided by correspondence lack originality, uniformity and is less accurate. It can deal with the personal bias and there is delay in collection.

• Information through questionnaire and schedules

Under this technique, the investigator prepares question ariy keeping in mind the objectives of enquiry. After preparation it is mailed to the respondents. The respondents then collect the required information written in the questionnaire. The further types are:

1. mailing method
2. enumerators method

$\bold \red{Celestial} \bold{Centrix}$