Class 11 Economics Long Questions with Answers - Collection of Data

Q.1. Explain the direct personal investigation method. Write its suitability, merits and demerits.
Ans. In direct personal investigation method, investigator goes in person to person contact in the area in which he wants to execute the investigation and collects the required information and data. The investigator has to be hard working, unbiased, able and patient to execute investigation through this method.
Suitability of Direct Personal Investigation Method
(i) Field of investigation is restricted.
(ii) Confidentiality of data is important.
(iii) Data is to be collected directly from the source.
(iv) Data is required in original form.
Merits of Direct Personal Investigation Method
(i) Data collected through this method are reliable because investigator collects them directly.
(ii) Data collected is original.
(iii) Data collected is homogeneous and uniform as collected by single hand.
(iv) The level of accuracy is high.
Demerits of Direct Personal Investigation Method
(i) It requires large amount of money, time and effort.
(ii) It is suitable for limited area of investigation.
(iii) Since information is collected in person, there are chances of it being biased.
(iv) Method can be used only by able, wise and patient investigator and not by an ordinary investigator.
(v) Method is not suitable for large number of respondents.

Q.2. Discuss the suitability of indirect oral investigation method along with its merits and demerits.
Ans. Sometimes respondents are not willing to provide the data directly to the investigator such as data regarding the habit of cigarette smoking and alcohol taking habits among students. In such situations, indirect oral investigation method is the most appropriate. In this method, the required data is collected from the persons associated with the respondents.
Suitability of Indirect Oral Investigation Method
(i) Direct contact with respondents is not possible.
(ii) Field of investigation is very vast.
(iii) Expert investigator is available.
(iv) Respondents are unable to provide information due to unawareness.
Merits of Indirect Oral Investigation Method
(i) It is a simple and less time-taking method.
(ii) It is relatively inexpensive method.
(iii) This method is unbiased.
(iv) It provides the opinion of the experts.
Demerits of Indirect Oral Investigation Method
(i) Information collected can be biased.
(ii) Information may be wrong since it is not in its original form.

(iii) Respondents may behave carelessly because the information being asked is not directly related to them.

Q.3. Discuss in detail about the collection of data through local correspondents or sources.
Ans. In this method, investigator does not approach the respondents but appoints some local correspondents to collect data or from local resource.
Suitability of Indirect Oral Investigation Method
(i) Data is to be collected regularly.
(ii) Data is to be used by the media.
(iii) Field of data is very vast.
(iv) Accuracy level of data is not a concern.
Merits of Indirect Oral Investigation Method
(i) It can cover wide field of investigation.
(ii) This method is less costly and requires less effort.
Demerits of Indirect Oral Investigation Method
(i) Data is not so accurate.
(ii) Data is received after a long period.
(iii) Data lack originality.
(iv) Data is not homogeneous since it is collected by different correspondents.

Q.4. Write down the precautions involved in the use of secondary data.
Ans. Secondary data should always be used with great care because this data has been collected by an individual researcher for a special purpose. Secondary data has to be checked, tested for suitability, accuracy before using them. Thus, some points must be kept in mind before using secondary data such as:

• Whether the data is adequate for use? 
• Whether data is suitable for present investigation and objective? 
• Whether the data is reliable? 
• Are they available in sufficient amount or not? 

Following are the precautions that need to be taken in use of secondary data:
(i) Technique of Data Collection: Before using the secondary data, it is necessary to know that whether the method of their collection is suitable and reliable.
(ii) Accuracy of Data: Before the use, accuracy level of data has to be certified because inaccurate data is not suitable for the research.
(iii) Capability of the Collector : The nature, capability, honesty, biased nature of the collector has to be considered prior to the use of secondary data as only honest, capable and unbiased collector can collect the quality data.
(iv) Objective and Scope of Data: It should be known beforehand the objective and scope of the data to be used as secondary.
(v) Time and Condition of Data Collection: Time and condition of data collection may vary so it is important to check the suitability of these variables to the present investigation.
(vi) Unit of Data Collection: For the data to be used as secondary, the unit of the data should be the same that is being used for the present investigation.

Q.5. Suggest the steps for planning a field survey.
Ans. Following steps are to be taken while planning a field survey:
(i) Design a questionnaire with utmost care and be sure that:

• The questionnaire has a reasonable length. 
• The questionnaire includes only precise and short questions. 
• The set of questions in the questionnaire can be cross-checked. 
• The questions should not involve difficult calculations for the respondents. 

(ii) Arrange a proper training programme for the enumerators and explain them the purpose, mode of enquiry and nature of various questions in the questionnaire.
(iii) Decide the mode of enquiry viz., direct personal or oral investigation or mailing the questionnaire.
(iv) Conduct a pilot survey when the field of survey is very large.