Data collection in social science research

Introduction:

Research is an art of scientific investigation.  In social science empirical research is a very important activity. In political science also empirical research plays an important role. In an empirical research Data is an important component. In research a researcher use data collected from various sources. In social science Collection of data is the fifth step.

Meaning:

The term data refers to qualitative or quantitative attributes of a variables or set of variables. Data are the lowest level of abstraction. In social science data are those resources which are used in research to draw some conclusion. So data means some qualitative or quantitative raw information collected through various means and used for drawing conclusion through interpretation.

There are two types of data. These types are categorized on basis of method of collection. These two types are- primary data and secondary data.

Techniques of data collection:

There are different methods of data collection. Mainly it can be divided into two broad techniques- primary and secondary. Primary data are those data which are collected afresh and for the first time through experiment, survey etc. On the other hand secondary data are those which have already been collected by someone else and which have already been passed through statistical process. In each category there are more other techniques of collection of data.

Collection of primary data:

There are various methods of collecting primary data. These are

a.       Observation method: in this method, the information is sought by way of investigator’s own direct observation without asking from the respondent. The observation may be participatory and non-participatory.

b.      Interview method: the researcher may collect data by taking interview of the respondent. There are various types of interview like structured interview, unstructured interview etc.

c.       Questionnaire method: in this technique a questionnaire consists of a number of questions printed in a definite order mailed to respondent who replied the question in the space provided.

d.      Schedules: in this technique a set of structured questions are asked to the respondent and answers are recorded by the investigator.

Collection of secondary data:

The secondary data may be either published data or may be unpublished data. There are some techniques or sources of collecting secondary data. These are like

a.       Various publications of the central, state and local governments.

b.      Various publications of foreign governments or of international bodies and their subsidiary organizations.

c.       Journals, books, magazines and news paper

d.      Reports and publications of various associations.

e.       Report prepared by research scholars, universities, economist etc.

f.       Public records and statistics.

The secondary data can be collected from library resources, government, business offices, internet sources etc.

These above are the few techniques of collection of data.

Criticism:

These techniques of data collection are largely used by researcher in their research. But these techniques are not free from criticism. In social science due to various reasons collection of primary data is not easy. In observation it is not possible to collect all type of data through observation. The questionnaire method can’t be used in case of illiterate people. Many a time it is not possible to meet the respondent in interview and schedule methods. In case of secondary data the information are may not be relevant and authentic. Therefore these techniques are not free from criticism.

Conclusion:

Despite of all these limitations stated above it is seen that researcher in social science prefers to use any of the above cited technique in their research. The primary techniques of data collection are more preferred technique than the secondary.

Bibliography:

1.      Ahuja, Ram: research methods, Rawat publications, Delhi, 2008.

2.      Ghosh, B.N. 4^th Edition: Scientific Method and Social Research, Sterling, Delhi, 1987.

3.      Kothari, C.R.: Research Methodology: Methods & Techniques, New Age International, New Delhi. 2007.

4.      Sharma, B.A.V. Prasad,D.R. Satyanarayan, P. (ed): Research Methods in Social Science, Sterling Publications, Delhi, 1983.