Sources of Data

Importance of Data
 Data are facts and other relevant materials, past and
present, serving as bases for study and analyses
 The data serve as bases or raw materials for analysis
 Without analysis of factual data no specific inferences
can be drawn on the question under study
 Data form the basis for testing the hypotheses
formulated in a study
 Data also provide the facts and figures required for
constructing measurement of scales and tables, which
are analysed with statistical techniques.
 Inferences on the results of statistical analysis and
tests of significance provide the answers to research
questions.
Types of Data: Primary Data Secondary Data

Primary Data
Primary Sources are original sources form which the
researcher directly collects data that have not been
previously collected.

- Collection of data directly by the researcher on

brand awareness, Brand preference, brand loyalty and
other aspects of consumer behaviour from a sample of
consumers by interviewing them.

Primary data are first-hand information collected

through various methods such as observation,
interviewing, mailing questionnaire, etc.
Secondary Data: These are sources containing data
which have been collected and compiled for some
selected purposes.
The secondary sources consists of readily available
compendia and already compiled statistical statements
and reports whose data may be used by researches for
their studies
Government Publications
- Census Publications
- Annual Reports and Financial Statements of Comp.
- Statistical Reports / Abstracts of Govt. Departments
- Annual Reports of Various Ministries / Govt. Deptts.
- CSO Reports – Monthly / Annually
- Economic Surveys & State/District Statistical Abst.
- Reports of National Sample Survey Organisation
Non-Government Publications
- Reports from Various Industry / Trade Associations
- Reports from Bombay Stock Exchange
- Reports from Coffee Board, Coir Board, SAIL
- Reports from Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
- Reports from various Export Promotion Councils

Publications of International Organizations

- UNO, IMF, OECD, World Bank,
ILO, WHO, etc.,
Others
- Trade and Financial Journals
- Newspapers, Magazines, etc.

Unpublished Records
- Various Records and Registers maintained by
Firms and Organizations
- Accounting and Financial Records
- Personnel Records
- Register of Members
- Minutes of Meetings
- Inventory Records, etc.
Features of Secondary Data
- Readymade and readily available
- Researcher has no original control over
collection and classification.
- Not Limited in Time and Space

Requirements of Secondary Data

- Availability of Secondary Data
- Relevance
- Accuracy
- Sufficiency