Data Collection, Sources of Data, and Methods of Data Collection

A researcher's primary task is data collection. The data collection work can be done by the researcher themselves or through enumerators. An enumerator is a person who collects information or data. The individuals who provide information or data to enumerators are called respondents. 

The researcher determines which type of data to collect from which area, based on their objectives. Additionally, after ascertaining the source of data, the method of data collection, the units of data, and the level of data accuracy, the researcher begins the data collection process. 

Data collection is the process of gathering information in a systematic and organized manner. Since a researcher draws conclusions from the analysis of the collected data, the data should be as accurate as possible. 

Only if the collected data is accurate will the results or conclusions derived from its analysis be correct. Otherwise, the results may be incorrect. Therefore, the researcher must collect data carefully.

Sources of Data

The sources of data that a researcher collects can be primary, secondary, or both. Primary data refers to new data collected by the researcher themselves for their own specific purpose. Primary data is data collected for the first time. Although primary data is original and reliable, it requires more time, effort, and expense to collect.

Secondary data refers to data that has already been collected by one researcher for their own purpose, and which is then used by a second researcher during their research. Although secondary data may not be as original and reliable as primary data, it requires less time, effort, and expense to collect. 

For instance, if a researcher conducts door-to-door surveys in a village or employs their own individuals to gather data for their research goal, this information serves as primary data for them. If another researcher uses this same data for their research, then for the latter researcher, this data becomes secondary data. 

The same data can be primary data for the first person or organization that collects and uses it, and secondary data for others who use it later.

Methods of Data Collection

There are mainly two types of data collection methods: sampling method and census method.

According to the sampling method, when collecting data, a few units are selected as a sample from all the units in the study or research area. Information or data is collected only from these selected units. The sampling method operates on the assumption that the conclusions drawn from the analysis of the data collected from the selected samples are valid for the entire population.

For example, if there are a total of 100 households in a village, and 20 households are selected as a sample, and data is collected only from these 20 households, this is a sampling method. The conclusions drawn from the analysis of this collected data are generalized for the entire population, i.e., for all 100 households. This method is useful when the research area is extensive. 

Collecting data through this method requires less time, effort, and expense. 

However, if the sample size is not sufficient and the sampling method is not correct, the sample may not represent the entire population. 

As a result, the conclusions drawn may not be accurate. Using this method requires expert services.

If data is collected from all the units in the study or research area, it is called the census method. 

For example, if there are a total of 100 households in a village, and data is collected from every household, this is a census method. 

This method is useful when the research area is limited. The data collected through this method is more reliable and trustworthy. 

Collecting data through the census method requires more time, effort, and expense than the sampling method.