Short Questions with Answers - Collection of Data

Short Answer Questions

Q1. What do you mean by data?
Ans: Data means organised facts or information collected for a specific purpose, usually to analyse and draw conclusions. It can be understood as follows:

• Plural of 'datum': The word comes from the Latin datum, which denotes a single piece of information; data is the plural form.
• Types of data: Data may be primary (collected firsthand for the study) or secondary (collected earlier by others).
• Purpose: Data provides the factual basis for studying problems, testing ideas and making decisions.

For example, responses collected from students in a survey about a film star's popularity are primary data for that particular study.

Q2. What is the purpose of data collection?
Ans: The purpose of data collection is to obtain reliable information that helps to:

• Provide evidence for analysing economic or social issues.
• Understand and explain causes and patterns observed in a population or market.
• Support decision-making and identify suitable solutions.
• Monitor changes over time and evaluate the effect of policies or programmes.

Collecting proper data helps policy makers, researchers and organisations make informed and objective choices.

Q3. What is primary data?
Ans: Primary data is information collected directly by the researcher from original sources. It is first-hand and specific to the study.

• Common methods: surveys, interviews, observations and experiments.
• Advantages: It is current, specific to the research needs and under the control of the researcher.
• Limitations: It can be time-consuming and more expensive to collect.

For instance, asking school students directly about a film star's popularity yields primary data.

Q4. Define secondary data.
Ans: Secondary data is information that already exists and was collected earlier by someone else. Researchers use such data for their own analysis.

• Sources include published reports, books, government publications and online databases.
• Benefits: It saves time and cost compared with collecting new data.
• Limitations: It may not exactly match the researcher's needs and might require careful checking for reliability.

For example, using results from an earlier study on film star popularity would be using secondary data.

Q5. Who is an investigator?
Ans: An investigator is a person who plans and conducts a study to collect information. Their main roles are:

• Designing the research and choosing methods.
• Organising and supervising data collection.
• Analysing information and drawing conclusions.

Investigators ensure that a study follows clear objectives and produces usable findings.

Q6. Who is a respondent?
Ans: A respondent is an individual who provides information to the researcher, usually by answering questions in a survey, interview or questionnaire.

Q7. Who is an enumerator?
Ans: An enumerator is the person who collects data directly from respondents during surveys or censuses.

• They conduct interviews, record answers and ensure questionnaires are completed correctly.
• Enumerators help improve the accuracy and completeness of data collection.

Q8. Write one internal and one external source of data.
Ans: Internal Source: An organisation's annual report, which includes financial and operational details.
External Source: Data published by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), which provides socio-economic statistics.

Q9. Name any two published sources of data.
Ans: The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are two well-known published sources of data.

Q10. Name any two unpublished sources of data.
Ans: Examples of unpublished sources are reports or data held by private institutions and studies by individual researchers that are not formally published.

Q11. Write any two methods of data collection.
Ans: The common methods of data collection include:

• Direct personal investigation: Face-to-face interviews where the investigator or enumerator asks questions directly.
• Indirect oral investigation: Gathering information through informal conversations where direct questioning may be avoided.
• Investigation through local correspondents: Using local contacts to collect data from areas that are difficult to reach.
• Questionnaires: Written sets of questions sent or given to respondents to complete.

Q12. What are the types of the questionnaire method?
Ans: There are two main types of the questionnaire method:

• Enumeration Questionnaire: Administered in person by an enumerator, allowing clarification and better response rates.
• Mail Questionnaire: Sent by post to respondents who fill them in and return them; useful for reaching distant respondents.

Q13. List the types of questions that may be asked in the questionnaire.
Ans: The questionnaire may include:

• Closed-ended questions:
  1. Two-way questions: Offer only two possible answers such as 'yes' or 'no'.
  2. Multiple choice questions: Provide several preset options for the respondent to choose from.
• Open-ended questions: Allow respondents to give their own answers in their own words, providing richer detail.

Q14. What are close-ended questions?
Ans: Closed-ended questions are those where respondents choose from given options. They include:

• Two-way questions: Usually 'yes' or 'no'.
• Multiple choice questions: Several alternatives are listed for selection.

They are easy to analyse but can restrict respondents' actual opinions. To reduce this problem, questionnaires often include an 'Any Other' option for additional answers.

Q15. List any two demerits of mailing questionnaires.
Ans: Two demerits of mail questionnaires are:

• Misinterpretation: Respondents may misunderstand questions because there is no opportunity to seek clarification.
• Low response rates: Many questionnaires are not returned, which can bias the results and reduce representativeness.

Q16. When is it suggested to undertake an indirect oral investigation?
Ans: Indirect oral investigation is appropriate when:

• Respondents are unwilling or uncomfortable answering direct questions.
• Questions concern sensitive matters where direct questioning would reduce honesty.
• The researcher needs candid or less guarded responses.

This method helps collect information while maintaining respondent comfort.

Q17. What may be the impact of the presence of the researcher in a personal interview?
Ans: The researcher's presence can affect responses in several ways:

• It may inhibit respondents from giving frank answers.
• Respondents might give socially acceptable answers instead of their true views.
• Some may withhold opinions out of fear of judgment.
• The interview outcome can be influenced by the researcher's behaviour and manner of questioning.

Careful training of interviewers and neutral behaviour can reduce these effects.

Q18. What are the benefits of conducting a pilot survey?
Ans: The benefits of a pilot survey include:

• Preliminary insights: It gives an early idea of how the main survey will perform.
• Identifying issues: It reveals unclear questions, logistical problems and other shortcomings.
• Question suitability: It helps test whether questions are understandable and appropriate for respondents.
• Cost and time estimation: It allows an estimate of resources needed for the final survey.

Q19. What is data? Explain the sources of data.
Ans: Data are collected facts or information used for study and analysis. Sources of data include two broad categories:

• Internal sources: Information generated within an organisation, for example a bank's records on deposits and loans.
• External sources: Information coming from outside an organisation, such as government statistics or published surveys.

External sources can be further divided into:

• Primary data: First-hand information collected directly from respondents, for example surveying students to learn about a film star's popularity.
• Secondary data: Information compiled or published earlier by others, such as government reports, books or journal articles; these are used by researchers for further analysis.

Choosing the right source affects the accuracy and relevance of conclusions drawn from the data.

Q20. Explain the questionnaire method of investigation.
Ans: The questionnaire method involves preparing a set of questions designed to meet the study's objectives and distributing them so respondents can provide information. It is carried out in two main ways:

• Enumerator: A trained person interviews respondents and records their answers, allowing clarification where needed.
• Mail: Questionnaires are sent to respondents, who complete and return them by an agreed date.

The method is economical, can reach remote areas and allows respondents to answer at their convenience, though it may suffer from non-response or misinterpretation issues.

Q21. What is the difference between enumerator's and mail questionnaire method?
Ans: Enumerator's Method:

• Questionnaires are delivered and completed under the supervision of enumerators.
• Allows immediate clarification of doubts, leading to more accurate responses.
• Typically yields higher response rates but is costlier.

Mail Questionnaire Method:

• Questionnaires are sent to respondents by mail.
• Respondents fill them in and send them back by a specified date.
• It is less expensive and can cover wide areas, but response rates are often lower and clarification is not possible.

Q22. Differentiate between a schedule and a questionnaire.
Ans: A questionnaire is a set of questions filled in directly by respondents without help, while a schedule is a similar set of questions but administered and filled in by an enumerator during an interview.

Questionnaire:

• Self-administered by respondents.
• Useful when respondents are literate and can respond without help.

Schedule:

• Administered and completed by an enumerator.
• Useful when respondents need assistance or when clarifications are likely.

Q23. What are the features of a good questionnaire?
Ans: A good questionnaire should have the following features to ensure accurate and original data:

• Clear objectives: The purpose and instructions must be stated at the start.
• Concise questions: Only necessary questions should be included to avoid respondent fatigue.
• Logical order: Questions should follow a sensible sequence so respondents remain comfortable.
• Respectful language: Questions must not be offensive or irritating.
• Simplicity: Use plain and simple language so all respondents can understand.

Such features improve response quality and the usefulness of collected data.

Q24. Define pilot survey. List its uses.
Ans: A pilot survey is a small-scale preliminary study carried out before the main survey to test the research design and procedures. Its uses include:

• Testing the performance of enumerators and the overall field plan.
• Checking the quality and clarity of questions.
• Assessing the suitability of questions for the target respondents.
• Estimating the cost and time required for the full survey.