Data Collection Methods
JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY.
INOORERO UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
:
ROTICH BENARD KIPKEMOI BOC-008-0312/2007
DATA COLLECTION METHODS
Methods of data collection.
The term data means groups of information that represent the qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which information and knowledge are derived.
Data can be classified into primary and secondary data. In order to carry out research on a particular subject a researcher needs to collect data fro carrying out a research. Data is of two forms either primary or secondary. Primary data is the information that is collected first hand by researchers. A primary data source is something that originates from first-hand knowledge of the person referenced in the data or from a first-hand witness it is the data that is collected under the control and supervision of an investigator .
Some examples of primary data are;
➢ data of a study to determine the morale of the employees in company
➢ Surveys;
➢ Interviews; ➢ Focus groups; ➢ Questionnaires
A secondary data source means that the information is simply second-hand. Secondary data is the information that is already available and which is used by the researcher as source for data used in his/her research. Different forms of secondary data include: • Journals; • Books; • Census Data; • Newspaper articles; and • Biographies
The distinction between primary and secondary data is only relative .The primary data of one study will serve as secondary data of another study. For example the census data of a country is an example of primary data to find the size of its population .This in turn will serve as data to plan public distribution system of each taluk of different
INOORERO UNIVERSITY
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
:
ROTICH BENARD KIPKEMOI BOC-008-0312/2007
DATA COLLECTION METHODS
Methods of data collection.
The term data means groups of information that represent the qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variable or set of variables. Data are typically the results of measurements and can be the basis of graphs, images, or observations of a set of variables. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which information and knowledge are derived.
Data can be classified into primary and secondary data. In order to carry out research on a particular subject a researcher needs to collect data fro carrying out a research. Data is of two forms either primary or secondary. Primary data is the information that is collected first hand by researchers. A primary data source is something that originates from first-hand knowledge of the person referenced in the data or from a first-hand witness it is the data that is collected under the control and supervision of an investigator .
Some examples of primary data are;
➢ data of a study to determine the morale of the employees in company
➢ Surveys;
➢ Interviews; ➢ Focus groups; ➢ Questionnaires
A secondary data source means that the information is simply second-hand. Secondary data is the information that is already available and which is used by the researcher as source for data used in his/her research. Different forms of secondary data include: • Journals; • Books; • Census Data; • Newspaper articles; and • Biographies
The distinction between primary and secondary data is only relative .The primary data of one study will serve as secondary data of another study. For example the census data of a country is an example of primary data to find the size of its population .This in turn will serve as data to plan public distribution system of each taluk of different
References: 1). Green, P.E. Tull, D.S. and Albaum G (1993) Research methods for marketing decisions, 5th edition, Prentice Hall, p.136 2) Shamoo A and Resnik D. 2003. Responsible Conduct of Research (New York: Oxford University Press). 3) R. Panneer selvan. Research Methodology, Prentice Hall of India.