ST.

ALOYSIUS INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (AIMIT)

DATA COLLECTION
DATA ARE THE FACTS & FIGURES COLLECTED, ANALYZED & SUMMARIZED FOR PRESENTATION AND INTERPRETATION. STATISTICAL DATA ARE THE BASIC MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE AN EFFECTIVE DECISION IN A PARTICULAR SITUATION

I MBA GROUP III (BS-2)

Presented by NAME REGISTRATION NO PIUS NORBERT PRITHAM AMMANNA PAVITHRA V PLAMOTTEL WILLIAM PRASANNA KUMAR PRAVEEN SURESH PEARL MARIA JOSEPH 1116118 1116124 1116115 1116119 1116120 1116121 1116116

Presented on:- .11.2011

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CONTENTS
Sl. No TOPIC PRESENTER PAGE NOs FROM - TO 1 Primary Data & Methods of Primary Data Collection 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Secondary Data & Sources of Secondary Data Steps involved in Data Collection Importance of Data Collection Qualitative technique of Data Collection Field Work Observation Studies References PREETHAM PAVITHRA V PLAMOTTIL WILLIAM PRASANNA KUMAR PRAVEEN SURESH PEARL MARIE JOSEPH PIUS NORBERT

3-5

6-7 8- 10 11-12 13-14 15-20 21-23 24

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TOPIC: PRIMARY DATA & METHODS OF PRIMARY DATA COLLECTION PRESENTER: PIUS NORBERT =======================================================================

PRIMARY DATA Are those data which are collected for the first time and are original in nature. Primary data are collected originally by the authorities who are required to collect them. The method of collection of primary data is known as Primary Method of Collection of Data. Data collected by field workers, investigators & enumerators are primary data.

DIRECT PERSONAL INVESTIGATION INDIRECT ORAL INTERVIEWS INFORMATION FROM LOCAL AGENCIES MAILED QUESTIONAIRE METHOD OBSERVATION METHOD

EXPLANATION OF METHODS OF COLLECTING PRIMARY DATA DIRECT PERSONAL INVESTIGATION :This method consist in the collection of data personally by the investigator from the sources concerned.In other words the investigator has to go to the field personally for making enquires and soliciting information from the informants or respondants .This nature of investigation very much restricts the scope of the enquiry. Obviously this technique is suited only if the enquiry is intensive rather than
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extensive. In other words, this method should be used only if the investigation is generally local confined to a single locality, region or area. Since such investigations require the personal attention of the investigator, they are not suitable for extensive studies where the scope of investigation is very wide. Obviously, the information gathered from such investigation is original in nature.

INDIRECT ORAL INVESTIGATION: When the direct direct personal investigation is not practicable either because of the unwillingness or reluctance of the persons to furnish the requisite information or due to the extensive nature of the equiry or due to the fact that direct sources of information do not exist or are unreliable, an indirect oral investigation is carried out. For example, if we want to solicit information on certain social evils like if a person is addicted to drinking, gambling or smoking, etc., the person will be reluctant to furnish correct information or he may give wrong information. The information on the gambling, drinking of smoking habits of an individual can best be obtained by interviewing his personal friends, relatives of neighbours who knows him thoroughly well. In these types of enquiries factual data on different problems are collected by interviewing persons who are in possession of the requisite information. The method consists in collection of the data through enumerators appointed for this purpose. A small list of questions pertaining to the subject matter of the enquiry is prepared. These questions are then put to the persons, known as witness of informants, who are in possession of such their replies are recorded. Such a procedure for the collection of factual data on problems is usually adopted by the Enquiry Committees appointed by the government-State or Central.

INFORMATION RECEIVED THROUGH LOCAL AGENCIES: In this method the information is not collected formally by the investigator or the enumerators. This method consists in the appointment of local agents (commonly called correspondence) by the investigator in different parts of fields of enquiry. These correspondence or agencies in different regions collect the information according to their own ways, fashions, likings and decisions and then submit their reports periodically to the central or head office where the data are processed for final analysis. This technique of data collection is usually employed

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by newspaper or periodical agencies who require information in different fields like sports, riots strikes, accidents, economic trend, business stock and share market, policies and so on.

MAILED QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD: This method consists in preparing a questionnaire (a list of questions relating to the field of enquiry and providing space for the answers to filled by the respondents) which is mailed to the respondents with a request for quick response within the specified time. A very polite covering note, explaining in details the aims and objective of collecting the information and also the operational definitions of various terms and concepts used in the questionnaire is attached. Respondents are also requested to extend their full co-operation by furnishing the correct replies and returning the questionnaire duly filled in time. Respondent are also taken into confidence by ensuring them that the information supplied by them in the questionnaire will be kept strictly confidential and secret.

SCHEDULES SENT THROUGH ENUMERATORS: Before discussing this method it is desirable to make a distinction between a questionnaire and a schedule. As already explained, questionnaire in a list of questions which are answered by the respondent himself in this own handwriting while schedule is the device of obtaining answers to the questions in a form which is filled by the interviewers or enumerators (the field agent who put these questions) in a face situation with the respondents.

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TOPIC: SECONDARY DATA & SOURCES OF SECONDARY DATA PRESENTER: PRITHAM AMMANNA =====================================================================

SOURCES OF SECONDARY DATA There are a number of national(government,semi-government and private) organisations and also international agencies which collect data relating to business, trade, labour, prices, consumption, production, industries, agriculture, income, and exchange, health, population and a number of socio-economic phenomenon and publish their findings in statistical reports on a regular basis(monthly,quarterly, annually, ad-hoc).

1. Official Publications of Central Government: The following are various government organisations along with the year of their establishment which collect, compile and publish statistical data on a number of topics of current interestprices, wages, population, production and consumption, labour, trade, army etc. a) Central Statistical Organisation (C.S.O)- Department of Statistics, Ministry of Planning. b) National Sample Survey Organisation (N.S.S.O)- Department of Statistics, Ministry of Planning.

2. Publications of Semi-government Organisation: Useful information is also published in the publications of various semi-government statistical organisations enumerated below: a) The institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi. b) The institute of Economic growth, Delhi. Further, the statistical material published by various other institutions like municipal and district boards, corporations, block and panchayat samitis on births and deaths, health sanitation and other related subjects provides fairly useful and reliable statistical information.

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3. Publications of Research Institutions: Individual research scholars, the different departments in the universities and various research organisations and institutes like Indian Statistical Institute, National Council of Educational Research Institute, they publish their findings of their research programmes in the form of research papers, or monographs and journals which are a continuous source of secondary data on the subjects concerned.

4. Publications of Commercial and Financial Institutions: A number of private commercial and trade associations like Sugar Mills Association, Indian Cotton Mills Federation, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) , Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, Trade Unions, Stock Exchanges, Bank Bodies, Co-operative Societies, etc. Publish reports and statistical material on current economic, business and other phenomena.

5. Reports of various Committees and Commissions appointed

by the

Government: The reports of the enquiry commissions and committees of the Central and State Governments to find their expert views on some important matters relating to economic and social phenomena like wages, dearness allowance, prices, national income, taxation, land, education, etc are invaluable sources of secondary information.

6. Newspapers and Periodicals: Considerable statistical material on a number of important current socio-economic problems can be obtained from the numerous data collected and published by some reputed magazines, periodicals and newspapers like Eastern Economist, Economic Times, The financial Express, Indian Finance etc.

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TOPIC: STEPS INVOLVED IN DATA COLLECTION PRESENTER: PAVITHRA V =======================================================================

INTRODUCTION:
A statistical survey is nothing but a systematic search for truth. It seeks some authentic answers to a problem which is quantifiable and, therefore, amenable to statistical treatment. The statistical enquiry, like many other scientific inquiries, has to pass through the following four stages:

OBSERAVATION:
This concerns preliminary assessment of the problem. It requires an Understanding of the nature and magnitude of the problem. How it started and how long it has been there. Facts may have to be collected and analyzed and some hypotheses framed. There is bound to be some element of subjectively at this stage. The use of deductive logic plays quite an important role in this. Let us assume that a business firm finds that the sales of one of its products have been declining and it undertakes to investigate the causes. At the very outset, it is necessary to find out to which product, line the decline refers the period for which the sales have been declining; the region in which the product has been marketed; the steps taken by the sales section and the efforts made by the marketing selection to boost the sales as also to enquire how other similar products have been faring in the market, and how this particular product competes with them as regards the quality and price.

LAYING DOWN OF HYPOTHESIS

On the basis of available information possibly by the use of deductive logic. A hypothesis generally is stated in a proper scientific frame. But it must be subjected to scientific tests for verification of the truth. To illustrate, in the case of declining sales referred to above, the preliminary investigations might yield following tentative results:

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A) The last rise in price was untimely. It was effected at a time when a new product was introduced into the market. B) The emphasis on advertising was not accompanied by an effort to improve or at least to maintain quality standards. C) The packing material used was not in keeping with the modern trend in packing (polythene). D) Supply took considerable time in reaching the customer due to delays in transportation. There may be one or more of these causes affecting the sales of the product. It is also possible that a thorough investigation may throw up altogether new facts not conceived of earlier.

PREDICTION:
It refers to anticipations about future deduced from the facts of preliminary investigation or based on the opinion of experts. The verification of the truth would reveal how a particular prediction was correct.
For example, predictions on the matter under discussion may be as follow: 1) the sales would pick up if a new orientation is given to the product and packing is changed to render it completely moisture proof 2) The product should be made available in small packs to capture rural markets where it can sell at a slightly higher price which would cover extra transportation charges. This is probably based on the hypothesis that it will encounter comparatively less competition in the interior of the country. 3) the popularity of the product among the prospective rural customers shall pay high dividends in future. These predictions would also require confirmation and verification by actual event in the future.

VARIFICATION:
The final stage is that of the actual verification of the truth of the prediction. For this purpose. Experiments have to be conducted & observation recorded.
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This will reveal whether the methods followed in prediction was sound. Variations within the tolerance limits may be ignored. But if the differences are significant the methods adopts for prediction have to be modified and improved. The techniques of the statistical investigations will be used in all the stages, but more in the first and the last stage. Planning, organization and processing are the three broad divisions of a statistical enquiry.

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DATA COLLECTION
TOPIC: IMPORTANCE OF DATA COLLECTION PRESENTER: PLAMOTTIL WILLIAM =======================================================================

Regardless of the field of study or preference for defining data (quantitative, qualitative), accurate data collection is essential to maintaining the integrity of research. In the todays world, data is arguably the most important resource for researchers, businessmen, students, administrators etc. Data not only helps formulate strategies, but it also becomes a guide to determine how businesses, government or researches should best utilize their resources. Data Collection is very important in the following scenarios TO PROVIDE NECCESSARY INPUTS TO A GIVEN SITUATION UNDER STUDY TO MEASURE PERFORMANCE IN AN ONGOING PROCESS SUCH AS PRODUCTION, SERVICE ETC TO UNDERSTAND AN UNKNOWN PHENOMENON TO HELP IN KNOWING THE CAUSES & EFFECTS OF CERTAIN CHARACTERISTICS IN GIVEN SITUATION TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF DECISION MAKING

Both the selection of appropriate data collection instruments (existing, modified, or newly developed) and clearly delineated instructions for their correct use reduce the likelihood of errors occurring. Consequences from improperly collected data

inability to answer research questions accurately inability to repeat and validate the study distorted findings resulting in wasted resources
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misleading other researchers to pursue fruitless avenues of investigation compromising decisions for public policy causing harm to human participants and animal subjects

While the degree of impact from faulty data collection may vary by discipline and the nature of investigation, there is the potential to cause disproportionate harm when these research results are used to support public policy recommendations.

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TOPIC: QUALITATIVE TECHNIQUE OF DATA COLLECTION PRESENTER: PRASANNA KUMAR =======================================================================

Qualitative technique of data collection seeks out the why, not the how of its topic through the analysis of unstructured information things like interview transcript, open ended survey responses, emails, notes, feedback forms, photos and videos. Qualitative Data are expressed by a non-numerical property such as satisfaction of a customer rich, poor and superior. A distinction can be made between a qualitative characteristics and a quantitative characteristics but so far as the statistical analysis of the characteristics is concerned,we need to convert qualitative information to quantitative information by providing a numeric description to the given characteristics. Qualitative technique doesnt just rely on statistics or numbers, which are the domin of quantitative researchers. Qualitative research is used to gain insight into peoples attitude,behaviours,value systems, concerns, motivations, aspirations, culture or lifestyles. Different Qualitative Technique Of Data Collection Observation: The act or faculty of observing. The fact of being observed. The act of noting and recording something such as a phenomenon, with instruments. Oxford dictionary stats that a result of an experiment or trial in which a variable, either numerical or categorical, is measured. Focus Group: Focus groups, unlike quota or probability samples of the population, are not designed to be statistically representative and are on examples of qualitative research. Barrons Business Dictionary defined that a form of market research in which a group of people are asked about their attitude toward a product concept, idea etc. A recent innovation is to conduct on online focus group.

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In-Depth Interview: A detailed analysis of a person or group, especially as a model of medical, psychiatric, psychological or social phenomena. A detailed intensive study of a unit, such as a corporation or a corporate divison, the stresses factors contributing to its success or failure.

Case Study: A case study is an intensive analysis of an individual unit stressing developmental factors in relation to context. The case study is common in social sciences or life sciences or life sciences. Case studies may be descriptive or explanatory.

Experience Survey: Direct observation of or participation in events asa basis of knowledge. The fact of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation. Practical knowledge, still or practice derived from direct observation of or participation in events or in a particular activity.

Secondary Data Analysis: Primary data that collected by someone else or for a purpose other than the current one. The secondary sources may be readily available and as such, it is convenient to use it if the data are sufficiently used.

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TOPIC: FIELD WORK PRESENTER: PRAVEEN SURESH =======================================================================

Field work is the gathering of information about something in a real, natural environment rather than in a place of study such as a laboratory or classroom. Field work- an investigation or search for material, data, etc., made in the field as opposed to the classroom, laboratory, or official headquarters Field work is chiefly concerned with Data collection and hence varies substantially depending on the purpose. Field work for a market research company (MRC) will differ from the field work by a NGO mainly because the data collection is for different purpose. However, just as both MRC deals with data collection from people so does NGO i.e., they have to deal with people to extract data and hence there are some basic field work guidelines and issues.

WHO CONDUCTS THE FIELD WORK? Data collection is rarely done by the person who designs the research project. However, it is very important that the data collected is accurate as the research outcome depends on the data collected. Therefore it is important that the research administrator select capable people who may be entrusted to collect data. An irony of todays scenario is that highly educated & trained individuals will design the research but people who dont know much about research or experience or even communication skill are the ones who typically collect data. This happens because much fieldwork is conducted by research suppliers who specialise in data collection. Such research suppliers again select candidates to do the field work. In some cases a third party is employed. E.g:- A firm may contact a survey research firm which in turn subcontracts the fieldwork to field service. Field service companies are those who perform door-door surveys and other types of field work (v.i.z., telephone interviewing etc) for a fee. These agencies typically employ field supervisors who oversee and train

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interviewers, edit completed questionnaires in the field and confirm that the interviews have been conducted by telephoning or re contacting a certain percentage of respondents.

IN-HOUSE TRAINING FOR INEXPERIENCED INTERVIEWERS: As mentioned above much of the actual field work personnels are inexperienced, they must be trained. The objective of the training is to ensure that the data collection instrument is administered uniformly by all field workers. The goal of these training sessions is to ensure that each respondent is provided with common information. If the data are collected in a uniform manner from all respondents, the training sessions will have been a success. Almost always there will be a briefing session on the particular project and about the objective of the data collection. Typically, the inexperienced recruits will record answers on a practice questionnaire during a simulated training interview. What will the training cover? The topics likely to be covered are (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) How to make initial contact with the respondent and secure the interview? How to ask survey questions? How to probe? How to record responses? How to terminate the interview?

Making Initial Contact- Interviewers should be trained to make appropriate opening remarks that will convince the person that his/her co-operation is important. If data collection is through tele calling then interviewers should be trained to make calls personalised. Further using the name of the research company and also showing ID assures the respondent that the caller is trustworthy. Interviewers should also be taught to handle objections. Interviewers should be also taught not to offend any individuals Asking Questions- The purpose of the interview is, of course, to have the interviewer ask questions and record the respondents answers. Training in the art of stating questions can be
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extremely beneficial because this form of interviewer bias can be a source of considerable error in survey research. Major principles (to be taught) for asking questions are 1. Ask questions exactly as they are worded in the questionnaire, 2. Read each question very slowly, 3. Ask the questions in the order in which they are presented in the questionnaire, 4. Ask every question specified in the questionnaire, 5.Repeat questions that are misunderstood or misinterpreted. Probing- General training of interviewers should include instructions on how to probe. Inexperienced interviewers must be trained to understand that respondents may give no answer, incomplete answers or answers that require clarification. Probing may be needed for 2 types of situations. First, it is necessary when the respondent must be motivated to enlarge on, clarify or explain his or her answers. It is the interviewers job to probe for complete, unambiguous answers. Second, probing may be necessary in situations in which the respondent begin to ramble or lose track of the question. In such cases the respondent must be led to focus on the specific content of the interview and avoid irrelevant and unnecessary information. Interviewers can be taught about some probing techniques like a) Repetition of questions, b) An expectant pause, c) Repetition of the respondents reply, d)Neutral questions or comments. The purpose of asking questions as probes is to encourage responses. These probes must be neutral, general and not leading. Recording Responses- Although the concept of recording an answer seems extremely simple, mistakes can be made in the recording phase of the research. All field workers should use the same mechanics of recording. The general rule; however is to place the check in the correct box that reflects the respondents answer. The general instruction for recording answers to open-ended-response questions is to record the answer verbatim, a task that is difficult for most people. Some of the suggested rules for recording answers to open-ended response questions are: 1. Record responses during the interview; 2. Use the respondents own words; 3. Do not summarize or paraphrase the respondents answer; 4. Include everything that pertains to the question objectives; 5.Include all of your probes. Terminating Interview- The final aspect of training deals with instructing the interviewers on how to close the interview and exit the household. Field-workers should not close the interview before all pertinent information has been secured. The interviewer whose departure is hasty may not be to record those spontaneous comments respondents offer after all formal
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questions have been asked. Recording just one of these comments may result in a new idea or creative solution to some organizational problem. Avoiding hasty departures is also a matter of courtesy. Because the field worker may be required to interview the respondent at some future time, the respondent should be left with a positive feeling about having cooperated in a worthwhile undertaking. It is extremely important to thank the respondent for his or her cooperation.

SUPERVISION OF FIELD WORKERS: Although briefing and training of interviewers will minimize the probability of interviewing the wrong audience or asking biased questions, there is still considerable potential for errors in the field. Direct supervision of personal interviewers, telephone interviewers, and other field workers is necessary to ensure that the techniques communicated in the training sessions are implemented in the field. Supervision of interviewers like other forms of supervision refers to controlling the efforts of workers. Field supervision of interviewers requires checking to see that field procedures are properly followed. Supervisors check field operations to ensure that the interviewing schedule is being met. They daily collect the questionnaires or other instruments and edit them for completeness and legibility. If there are problems, supervisors discuss them with the field workers, providing additional training when necessary. In addition to quality control, field supervision may provide continual training. Sampling Verification- One of the important jobs of the supervisor is to verify that the interviews are being conducted according to the sampling plan rather than the selection of households most accessible to the interviewer. An interviewer might be tempted to go to the household next door for an interview rather than record that the sampling unit was not at home which require a call back. Interviewer the right person- Supervisors must make sure that the right person within the household or sampling unit is being contacted. E.g- Interviewing a nurse or assistant instead of interviewing doctors or executives who are busy.

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Interviewer cheating- Interviewer cheating in its most blatant form occurs when an interviewer falsifies interviews. The field worker merely fills in fake answers rather than contacting respondents. Although this situation does occur, it is not common if the job of selection has been properly accomplished. A field worker who does not understand the instructions may skip or miss a portion of the questionnaire. It is supervisors function to motivate the interviewers to carefully follow the sampling plan. Verification by Re interviewing- Supervision of quality control attempts to ensure that the interviewers are following the sampling procedure and to detect interviewers who falsify interviews. Supervisors verify approximately 15% of the interviews by re-interviewing. Normally the interview itself is not repeated, but supervisors re-contact respondents and ask about the length of the interview and the respondents reaction to the interviewer, as well as collect basic demographic data to check for interviewer cheating. Verification can indicate when the interviewer has falsified interviews without contacting the potential respondents.

PRINCIPLES OF GOOD INTERVIEWING: Interviewing is a skilled occupation; not everyone can do it, and even fewer can do it extremely well. The basic qualities of a good interviewer are 1. Have integrity & be honest:- This is the cornerstone of all professional inquiry, regardless of its purpose. 2. Have patience & tact:- Interviewers ask for information from people they have not previously known. Thus all the rules of human relations that apply to inquiry situations-patience, tact & courtesy-apply in spades to interviewing. Standard business conventions controlling communications and contact are to be observed at all times. 3. Pay attention to accuracy & detail 4. Exhibit a real interest in the inquiry at hand, keep your own opinions to yourselfImpartiality is imperative- if your opinions were wanted, you would be asked, not your respondent. You are an asker and a recorder of other peoples opinions, not a contributor to the data study. 5. Be a good listener
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6. Keep inquiry and respondents responses confidential Do not discuss the study you are doing with relatives or friends as it is not acceptable to either the research agency or its clients. Above all, never quote one respondents opinion to another-that is the greatest violation of privacy of all.
7. Respect others rights

Some practicle rules of business enquiry that are to be followed meticulously

1. Complete the no of interviews according to the sampling plan assigned to you 2. Follow directions provided 3. Make every effort to keep schedules 4. Keep control of each interview you do 5. Complete questionnaire sent meticulously

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TOPIC: OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES PRESENTER: PEARL MARIA JOSEPH =======================================================================

OBSERVATION: An observation is the set of measurements obtained for each element in a data set. Hence the number of observation is always same as the number of elements. The number of measurement obtained on each element is equal to the number of variables. Hence total number of data values in a data set is the number of elements multiplied by the number of variables.

OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES An observational study is a study in which a researcher simply observes behaviour in a systematic manner without influencing or interfering with the behaviour. The researcher would record the behaviour that he or she observes. There may be rating scales that the researcher would use when observing the behaviour. Observational studies can involve naturalistic observation or laboratory observation. Naturalistic observation would involve observing behaviours in the natural environment. Laboratory observation involves observing behaviours in a research laboratory.

NATURE OF OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES Observation methods may be unobtrusive in that communication with which the respondent may not necessary. Observational studies can be of two ways : - Visible observation - Hidden observation Visible observation: Situations where the observers presence is known to the subject.

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Hidden observation: Situations where the subject is unaware that observation is taking place. But hidden observation raises an ethical issue concerning respondents privacy. The major advantage of observation studies is that over survey, which obtained self-reported data from respondent. The data are recorded when the actual behaviour takes place.

OBSERVATION OF HUMAN BEHAVIOUR Observational studies of persons are broadly classified into 4 major categories: Non-verbal behaviour

Non-verbal behaviour can be a communication process by which meanings can be exchanged between individuals. Eg: head nods, smiles, raised eyebrows etc Linguistic behaviour

This is second frequently used form of behaviour observation. The study of sales presentations content or the study of what , how and how much information is conveyed in a training situation. Extra linguistic behaviour

This is important means of communication in linguistic behaviour. (a) (b) (c) (d) Vocal : includes pitch, loudness. Temporal : includes the rate of speaking, duration of utterance and rhythm Interaction : includes the tendencies to interrupt, dominate, inhibit Verbal stylistic : includes vocabulary , pronunciation, characteristics expression Spatial relationships

Here it shows how a person relates physically to others. One form of this study, proxemics, concerns how people organize the territory about them and how they maintain discrete
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distances between themselves and other. Eg: A study of salespeople physically approach customer.

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REFERENCES
Books

Gupta S C Fundamentals of Statistics; Himalaya Publication Sharma J K Business Statistics; Pearson Education Zikmun W G Business Research Methods Bharadwaj R S Business Statistics Levin & Rubin Statistics for management; Prentice Hall Barenson and Levene Basic Business Statistics; Prentice Hall

Websites
www.authorstream.com www.docstoc.com

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